LAGOS DECEMBER 1ST (URHOBOTODAY)-Three yet-to-be-identified persons have been shot dead and many others injured by gunmen in Oteri and Ekiugbo communities in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Unconfirmed report had it that the actual cause of the ugly incident which took place at about 6.30pm last Sunday and 7am on Monday could be related to issues among warring groups as four houses and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed in Oteri-Ughelli community.
It could be recalled that for nearly a month, cult-related issues have overtaken the entire Ughelli community as over 10 persons have been killed since the advent of the ugly incident.
One of the injured victims, a Point of Sale (PoS) operator, disclosed that the incident happened within a twinkle of an eye.
The victim, who spoke on conditions of anonymity, said, “I was attacked after closing from work by four persons in an Audi car.
“I heard sounds of gunshots within the community Town Hall and all of a sudden people started to scamper for safety. As we were running, the Audi car stopped and the occupants held me and my friend and were accusing us of causing problems in the community.
“I told them that I am PoS operator but before I could finish saying it, I saw blood gushing out all over my body as the driver of the vehicle hit me with an object, it was one of the occupants of the vehicle that saved us as the driver and two attempted to bundle us inside the vehicle,” he said.
Reacting to the killing and wanton destruction of properties while conducting newsmen around destroyed properties, the President of Oteri community, Efe Odibo, described the incident as unfortunate.
He said, “While we condemned the loss of loved ones and properties, the Oteri community has decided to impose a one-week curfew starting from today Monday between the hours of 8 pm to 6 am.
“The combined security agents, the army, police and local vigilantes will be on ground to enforce the curfew and if anyone is caught, such a person would be made to face the wrath of the law.”
A resident of Oteri-Ughelli, who gave her name as Mrs Onome, a petty trader, disclosed that all her properties had been destroyed in the melee.
“All my life savings have been destroyed and I don’t know where to start from as at this moment. The government should come to my aid,” she pleaded.
In a related development, another two persons were killed at Ekiugbo community on Sunday night and Monday morning at different locations.
According to sources, one of the deceased was shot dead at Ogheneweta and the other at Oseri Street Junction by suspected cultists.
The Delta state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Onome Onowakpoyeya, could not be reached to confirm the incident but a senior security officer attached to the Ughelli Area Command who confirmed the incident said, the police are on the matter as an investigation to unravel the culprits.
Daily Independent