By SIMON EBEGBULEM

BENIN — THERE is tension in Okomu community, Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State, after three buildings were razed by armed men, suspected to be ex-militants, who attacked some community leaders over youth empowerment materials donated to the community by Okomu Oil Palm Company operating in the area.

Community members fled their homes to neighbouring communities following sporadic gun shots fired by the armed men.

One of the community leaders, Mr. Rickson Nanagha, who spoke to Vanguard from his hiding place, said that the suspected ex-militants stormed his house on Monday morning, demanding for the skill acquisition materials donated to the community by Okomu Oil Palm Company.

He said that his house, that of the Headmaster of Okomu Primary School and other buildings, were set ablaze when they found out he had escaped.

Nanagha said: “These boys started this problem in 2011, when we asked them to disarm and accept amnesty. They came to my house then and started fighting me, asking why they must disarm.

“Luckily for me, I got over that incident but they were not happy with some of us because we insisted that they must drop their arms.

“Just last week, Okomu Oil Palm Company gave our people bursary and skill acquisition materials. I was directed to give the materials to the community, which I did.

“But they came to my house on Monday morning, demanding for the materials. I escaped from the community and went to report the matter to the police and the Army.

“When they heard that I reported the matter, they set my house and that of others ablaze.

“They used machete on some community members and people have fled. They have taken over the entire community.”