By Our Correspondent.
ODIGUETUE — Panic and grief have enveloped Odiguetue community in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State following the gruesome discovery of the decomposing bodies of three siblings who had been declared missing.
The victims, Rosemary_ Efosa Igbinovia, Andrew-Arthur Igbinovia and Dorothy Osarugwe Igbinovia, reportedly left their home on December 20, 2018, for their farmland but never returned, sparking fears and a frantic search by residents.
For days, local hunters, vigilantes and farmers combed nearby forests and farmlands in search of the trio, but all efforts proved abortive.
The search, however, took a tragic turn on December 27 when a farmer stumbled on three decomposing bodies buried in shallow graves on a farmland.
Community sources disclosed that the bodies, believed to be those of the missing siblings, were discovered with vital organs missing—an alarming development that has heightened fear and suspicion among residents.
The incident has further compounded the already tense security situation in the agrarian community, which has been grappling with recurring clashes between farmers and herders.
Residents lamented that the protracted crisis has led to loss of lives, destruction of farmlands and displacement of families, with many now too afraid to return to their farms.
“We can no longer go to our farms freely. People are living in fear because of the killings and destruction. This latest incident has worsened the situation,” a resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
The remains of the victims were later recovered and buried amid tears and mourning by members of the community.
Family sources revealed that the siblings had relied on farming for survival following the death of their father, Mr Sunday Igbinovia, in 1993.
Meanwhile, their mother, Mrs Rebecca Igbinovia, who is said to be in poor health and residing outside the community, has yet to be informed of the tragic development.
Residents disclosed that her condition had deteriorated significantly in recent weeks, making it difficult to break the devastating news to her.
Her health, sources added, worsened after she lost contact with her first son, Joe Igbinovia, who reportedly travelled to the United Kingdom in search of greener pastures but has not been in touch with the family.
Joe was said to have relocated with his ex-wife, Adesuwa Ediae, and has since cut off communication with relatives back home.
Mrs Igbinovia is currently said to be surviving on the goodwill of community members and support from non-governmental organisations.
Meanwhile, anxious residents have called on security agencies and the Edo State Government to urgently intervene and restore peace to the troubled community.
Efforts to get a reaction from the police were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
