— Those killed are not Revenue Staff of Ughelli North says Council Boss – Egbo
— Ekiugbo community has no hand in the killing, the gunmen are masked says Ekiugbo PG
— Otor-Ihwreko PG calls for calm, sympathizes with victims’ families
By Ogba O. Ogba
The administrative headquarters of Ughelli North local government area, Delta State, was on Monday again embroiled in a crisis as no fewer than three persons were killed and many injured by unyet-to-be-identified gunmen at Ughelli main market.
Rainbow Newspaper authoritatively reports that the problem started when some persons suspected to be members of the Ekiugbo community stormed the Ughelli main market and made an attempt to stop those collecting what they described as illegal revenue collection from petty traders in the market.
Rainbow Newspaper sources disclose further that there was a heated argument that resulted in an exchange of gunfire that led to the killing of one Onome popularly known as ‘Oyibo’ and one Nathaniel.
Our source further disclosed that a pioneer member of the Ughelli vigilante group code-named ‘Ughelli Bakasi’, Comrade Lucky Ighowhare 58 years popularly known by his members as ‘Thunder’ was unlucky as he was reported shot dead in his house in the presence of his wife and children while preparing to take his dinner with his families.
When contacted, the Ughelli north council boss, Hon. Jaro Egbo, said he was informed that there was a crisis in Ughelli’s main market, and two persons were killed immediately, and a few hours later, another one was killed around Samuel Oteri Street.
According to him, he called on the Nigeria Police and Nigeria Army to immediately take control of the situation.
Speaking further, he hinted that those killed in the crisis are not working for the council and, as such, they are not Revenue Committee Members of the council.
“If they claimed to be revenue collectors of the council, where and who do they remit the monies they collected?
“They are not staffers nor members of Ughelli North Revenue/Ughelli Main Market Revenue Committee”.
Meanwhile, the President General of the Ekiugbo community, comrade Convey Irhude Friday, distanced his community from the unfortunate incident that took the lives of three persons, alleging those responsible for the heinous action masked their faces that the Ekiugbo community is not known for such barbaric attitudes.
“Ekiugbo community did not go to Ughelli main market to fight with anybody, the news of fight and killing filtered into the community that some masked individuals stormed the market area and shot three persons dead.
Meanwhile, the president general of Otor – Ihwreko community, Mr. David Omotor was flawed at the crisis
“I want to believe that it’s within their circles; the Ekiugbo community does not have a problem with anybody in the Ughelli market.
“If the Ekiugbo community has a problem or grievance with the market, we know where to channel our grievance to, not to fight an individual; the Ekiugbo community is more civilized to do such a thing,” he said.
Meanwhile, the president general of Otor – Ihwreko community, Mr. David Omotor frowns at the crisis and the killing saying the two warring communities are one paternally and maternally.
While Sympathising with the families of those killed, he called for calm, saying that no issues, situations, or grievances warrant the letting of our own brother’s blood. He appealed.
When contacted for comment, the police public relations officer, SP Edafe Bright, confirmed the incident to our correspondent.
