A young man was killed and seven houses set ablaze in Ogute-Oke community, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, following a violent dispute reportedly triggered by a disagreement over a woman.
The incident occurred shortly after residents concluded celebrations marking the community’s Olimi Festival and the burial rites of a prominent chief.
Sources in the area said tension erupted during a social gathering when a disagreement broke out between two men over a woman at the event.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that one of the men became upset after another guest began dancing with a woman he had accompanied to the party.
According to the source, the confrontation escalated when one of the individuals allegedly armed himself with a cutlass and attacked another man, inflicting fatal injuries to his neck.
“The trouble started during a party held after the burial ceremony of a respected chief. One man became angry because another person was dancing with a lady he came with.
The disagreement turned violent, and a man was reportedly attacked with a cutlass and later died from the injuries,” the source said.
The killing reportedly sparked retaliatory attacks by relatives and associates of the deceased, who allegedly stormed the suspected assailant’s area and set seven houses on fire.
The attacks forced many residents to flee the community over fears of further violence and possible arrests by security operatives.
Speaking on the development, Edo State Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Godwin Eshieshie, who hails from the community, confirmed the incident and said traditional leaders had intervened to restore calm.
He explained that the disagreement began when two men became involved in an altercation over a woman during the celebration.
Eshieshie said the situation worsened after one of the men retrieved a cutlass and attacked another individual who was not directly involved in the dispute.
“They were celebrating when an argument developed over a lady. One of the men later returned with a cutlass and attacked another person who was not even part of the disagreement.
The victim was taken to the hospital but was confirmed dead,” he said.
He added that enraged relatives of the deceased carried out reprisal attacks, resulting in the destruction of several houses.
“No misunderstanding is worth taking a life over. Community elders have stepped in and succeeded in calming the situation. I also intend to visit the community soon,” the commissioner added.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Edo State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the command’s spokesperson, CSP Moses Yamu, could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.
The incident has heightened concerns over rising cases of violence linked to personal disputes and retaliatory attacks in some communities across the country.