Soldier, six others killed as rival youth groups clash in Edo community (videos)

Seven individuals together with a soldier have died in a conflict between rival youth teams contesting for management in Obayantor group in Ikpoba-Okha Native Authorities Space of Edo State.

It was gathered that bother began when a faction of the youth management led troopers into the group to seek for firearms stated to be within the possession of their rivals.

The incident which occurred on Saturday evening, March 12, reportedly led to the dying of a soldier.

This dying of the soldier reportedly led to a reprisal assault by his colleagues locally by which no fewer that six individuals, largely youths have been killed.

One of many youths who escaped from the group stated, “I used to be not a part of the struggle, however I’m certain a military officer and 6 others died. The military got here into the group to fish out these with unlawful arms and ammunition.”

Spokesperson of the State Police Command, Bello Kontongs, stated it was a navy operation, including that he had no data on it.

In the meantime, the Nigerian Military, 4 Brigade, Benin, on Monday, denied that the operation was a reprisal.

The brigade’s spokesperson, Capt. Yemi Sokoya, acknowledged that the brigade acquired a report from the Division of State Companies that some hoodlums have been disturbing the group and stockpiling weapons.

“We came upon that it was true, as a result of as quickly as we acquired there, among the hoodlums engaged the troop in a gun duel,” he stated.

“Even when there was a communal challenge prior to now, with what is occurring within the nation immediately, if you’re a commander and you might be informed individuals are stockpiling weapons someplace, you’ll go there and be certain that these weapons are seized and people concerned arrested. I feel that’s the proper factor to do and that was precisely what the commander did.

“The communal disaster was not a part of why we went there. It was mainly on a report that hoodlums have been stockpiling weapons and terrorising the group.”

He disclosed that in the midst of the operation, some weapons, together with two AK-47 rifles, three pump-action weapons, one double-barrelled gun, 32 cartridges, 5 cellphones and an ID card belonging to the state vigilance group, have been recovered.