BENIN CITY, EDO STATE — Residents of Igbanke community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State have been thrown into a state of panic following a daring attack by suspected armed gunmen on members of the local vigilante group on Friday, June 26, 2026.
The incident, which occurred amidst worsening security concerns in the region, has triggered widespread alarm and intensified calls for immediate military and police intervention to secure the area.
Ambush in Broad Daylight
According to local reports and eyewitness accounts filtering out of Igbanke, the heavily armed attackers opened fire on the local vigilantes who were on routine patrol or guarding critical entry points into the community.
The sudden gunfire threw the immediate environment into chaos, with traders, farmers, and commuters fleeing for safety. While details on casualties remain sketchy at the time of this report, the boldness of the attack against a recognized community security outfit has left residents deeply rattled.
The local vigilantes have been a primary line of defense in Edo communities, helping to checkmate the activities of armed bandits, kidnappers, and highway robbers who utilize the dense forests of the region as operational bases.
Panicked Residents Cry Out for Help
In the wake of the Friday assault, community leaders and residents have reached out to state authorities, warning that the local security architecture is being overwhelmed by superior firepower.
There are growing fears that without a swift, permanent deployment of the Nigerian Police Force and the military, the community risks being overrun or subjected to reprisal attacks.
“The security situation in Igbanke requires urgent attention before it gets out of hand,” a local source stated in an online appeal. “If they can boldly attack the vigilantes who protect us, then ordinary citizens are no longer safe.”
State Government and Police Command Under Pressure
The attack comes at a sensitive time when regional security and the operational capacity of community-based policing are under intense national scrutiny.
As of Saturday morning, the Edo State Police Command has not released an official statement regarding the casualty figure or the progress of the manhunt for the fleeing gunmen. However, security analysts note that the incident will likely pile pressure on the Edo State Government to increase logistics and tactical support for the Edo State Security Network (ESSN) and local hunters protecting rural borders.
