By Wilson Macaulay
Tension is mounting in Egbema kingdom in Delta and Edo States of the Niger Delta region following the gruesome killing of four indigenes and inhabitants of Brandly Tiemo Community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State by suspected armed attackers from Abiala 2 Community also known as Kokodiagbene.
Leaders and indigenes of the Brandly Community have raised alarm over what they described as a calculated and unprovoked midnight attack allegedly carried out by persons from Abiala Community 2 , also known as Kokodiagbene, near Ologbo axis of Edo State.
The Brandly Community is now calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Inspector General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu, the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of zone 5 , and the Edo State Police Commissioner to urgently intervene to prevent the situation from degenerating into a wider communal conflict Which will claim more lives.
Speaking during an interaction with journalists in Sapele Delta State on Wednesday, prominent Egbema leader and community stakeholder, Mr Khalin Tiemo, Felix Tiemo and others in very strong terms condemned the killing of Julius Brandly Tiemo, Abrahim Kehinde, Adewumi Omotimise and Ayofen Smally Thursday, describing the incident as barbaric, painful, and unacceptable. According to them, heavily armed hoodlums invaded Brandly Community in the early hours of Sunday, May 10, 2026, while residents were asleep and opened fire on unsuspecting inhabitants who had no reason to expect any unprovoked attack.
The Brandly Community reps disclosed that the attack reportedly occurred around 1:30 a.m., throwing the peaceful riverine community into panic and confusion as residents fled for safety. The four victims killed during the invasion were identified as Julius Brantly Tiemo, Ibrahim Kehinde, Adewunmi Omotimise, and Ayonfen Smally Thursday.
Community sources maintained that the victims were allegedly shot at close range during the attack, while several other residents narrowly escaped death after fleeing into nearby bushes and waterways. Mr Khalin Tiemo, Felix Tiemo and others Speaking on behalf of the Community explained that prior to the attack, there had been no recorded communal crisis involving Brandly Tiemo Community and neighboring settlements, insisting that the incident came as a shocking surprise to residents of Brandly Community.
“There was no communal dispute before this attack. Our people were sleeping when armed men invaded the community and carried out this heinous act. This kind of violence is capable of triggering serious tension if urgent actions are not taken by security agencies,” They stated.
The Brandly Community Representatives alleged that the attackers were natives of Ogbinbiri of Egbema kingdom in Warri North L.G.A of Delta State who are presently residing in Kokodiagbene Community near Ologbo Creek. They urged security agencies to carry out a detailed and unbiased investigation to establish the full facts surrounding the incident.
The community representatives appealed to the Federal Government and security authorities not to treat the matter lightly, warning that failure to ensure justice could heighten tensions within the affected communities. They specifically appealed to President Tinubu and the National Security Adviser to direct relevant security agencies to immediately identify, arrest, and prosecute all those connected with the killings.
They commended officers of the Nigeria Police Force for what they described as their swift response following the incident. Speaking further they expressed appreciation to officers of the Edo State Command for visiting the crime scene and commencing preliminary investigations into the killings.
“We appreciate the Police for responding quickly and visiting the scene especially the CP of Edo State and the DPO at Ologbo. We believe the authorities will conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that justice prevails,” They added. Observers in the area fear that the incident could inflame ethnic and communal tensions if urgent peace-building measures are not initiated by government authorities and traditional leaders.
Security analysts have repeatedly warned about the dangers of unresolved inter-community disputes and armed violence within border communities linking Edo and Delta States, particularly in areas with difficult riverine terrain and limited security presence.
.The Brandly Community representatives stressed that disputes among neighboring communities should be resolved through lawful and peaceful mechanisms rather than violence because if nothing is done the situation can degenerate to bloodbath. They urged youths in the area to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands, assuring that justice would be pursued through legal and constitutional means without any delay. They described the deceased as innocent members of the community whose lives were cut short in tragic circumstances.
“The pain and grief in the community is enormous” they said.. They insisted that the perpetrators must not escape justice. As tension continues to rise in the Brandly Community residents are anxiously awaiting decisive action from security agencies amid growing calls for justice, and urgent government intervention to avert another cycle of attack that may lead to communal violence or crises in the Area.