Edo Government Provides Relief To Farming Communities Affected By Militant Attacks.
The Edo State Government has delivered a significant relief package to seven farming communities in Ovia South-West Local Government Area, following recent deadly attacks by suspected Ijaw militants.
The relief materials, presented on behalf of Governor Monday Okpebholo, included 3,000 bags of 10kg rice and ₦20 million in financial support aimed at helping affected residents recover and rebuild. The donation was made by the Executive Secretary of the Edo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Jerry Idahosa, during a visit to the area.
The attacks, which took place on Friday, 21 February 2025, claimed the lives of at least 22 people and resulted in the destruction of homes and properties worth millions of naira. The communities impacted — Marindoti, Gbelemontin Domiju, Kola Village, Taiye Camp, Eto Camp, Dipe, Bala Dele, and Thousand — are primarily inhabited by farmers from a mix of ethnic backgrounds, including Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Benin.
Speaking during the distribution, Idahosa stressed the governor’s dedication to grassroots development and peacebuilding. He noted that the ₦20 million donation would support the rebuilding of houses and essential infrastructure destroyed during the attack.
“This is governance in its truest and most humane form. We are not just handing out food; we are reinforcing your strength and your right to a government that cares,” he said.
The governor also pledged to establish a permanent security post at Maidoti/Gbelebu in collaboration with security agencies to help prevent further violence and maintain peace in the area.
Idahosa emphasised that the financial support given to affected families was not symbolic but a concrete step toward recovery. He added that the initiative reflects a shared commitment between the Edo State and Federal Governments, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to prioritise grassroots engagement and inclusive development.
“My administration is proud to complement that agenda through direct interventions such as those witnessed in the affected communities,” he concluded.
