Urohi Community, Fulani herdsmen clash: Police declares the mastermind Anslem Benjamin Esefolo wanted

The police authority has declared one Mr Anslem Benjamin Esefolo, wanted over the recent clash between Urohi Community and Fulani herdsmen, which claimed many lives and property worth millions, including churches were destroyed.

The police in a Telegraph with reference number: AR:300/EDS/Vol.9/222 dated May 19, 2011, from the office of the Area Commander, Nigerian Police Esan Area Command Headquarters, Irrua, Edo State, made available to the media declared one Mr Anslem Benjamin of Urohi Community of Esan West, Local Government Area, Ekpoma, Edo State, wanted over his alleged involvement in the crisis.

The Telegraph which was obtained by Advocate.ng alleged that Mr Anslem Benjamin Esefolo, was the mastermind and one of the members of the gang which attacked some herdsmen whom they accused of attacking, raping their sisters, wives and mothers, and kidnapping their people for ransom.

Recall that the attack on the herdsmen led to a clash with claimed many lives, while Mr Anslem Benjamin Esefolo, and his gang fleed the community when Fulani herdsmen launched an attack on the community even as police was also hunting for them to bring them to face the law.

According to the police in a Telegraph signed by Mr Chukwu Ibo, “This is to notify you one Mr Anslem Benjamin Esefolo (your son) is wanted by the police.

“Information at our disposal reveals that Anslem Benjamin Esefolo was part of the gang that masterminded the clash between Urohi community and the Fulani herdsmen where hundreds of people were killed and many injured

“You are to bring Anslem Benjamin Esefolo to this office without compelling any reminder, please.

However, since police declared Mr Anslem Benjamin Esefolo, and his gang who are now at large wanted, their whereabouts have remained unknown.

The police authority has urged the general public to assist them with useful information to track Mr Anslem Benjamin Esefolo, and his gang down, and bring them to justice.

Since the recent attacks two elderly women, Christble Ikheloa and Fatima Emodo were killed by suspected herdsmen which no doubt raised palpable anxiety and fear in Urohi community, and there was tension in Ekpoma, following the gruesome murder of a community woman, Margaret Odiamehi, by suspected Fulani Herdsmen. It added that “The victim, a grandmother, was allegedly raped and killed while working at her farm in Ukpenu Community”.

Over the past five years, thousands have been killed; precise tallies are unavailable, but a survey of open source reports suggests fatalities may have reached an annual average of more than 2,000 from 2006 to 2011.

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