By Gabriel Elozino, Asaba
Suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have burned down two Dangote trucks, a Tricycle and one Audi, Volkswagen at Ugbolu Community, close to Asaba the Delta State capital, killing one of the truck drivers in the process.
It was gathered that rampaging IPOB members storm the community in the early hours of Wednesday blocking the Ugbolu/Illah Road at Miles 5 firing several gunshots into the air.
The owner of the tricycle who identified himself as Chinonso Okafor, who narrated his ordeal while speaking with newsmen, said he walked into the scene while moving out for the day’s hustle.
Okafor said he was forced out of his ‘Keke’ before it was set ablaze, saying despite several appeals that the ‘Keke’ was his source of livelihood they went ahead to burn it.
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He said commuters and residents of the area fled into the bush for fear of being hit by stray bullets. He explained that those coming to work from the community to Asaba were held for hours as no vehicle was allowed to cross over to either side, adding that the assailants came as early as 6am.
Confirming the incident to journalists, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Ari Muhammed, said the police received information at about 6 am on Wednesday that IPOB have blocked the road, and immediately drafted its men who were already on patrol to the area.
He said, “At about 0600hrs we received a call that IPOB has blocked the road somewhere at the outskirt of Asaba, Ugbolu. Unfortunately for our men, they were already on their way and also, two Dangote trucks carrying cement that were coming from Ogbe-Illah were intercepted, one of the drivers was asked to come down, and they asked him what he was doing on the road despite the sit-at-home order. He told them that he was not aware of any sit-at-home. They forced him out and shot him and he died.
“Before we got there they had deserted the place. Consequently, upon that we went round the whole place in search of these hoodlums but they were gone.”
The Commissioner warned that the force was determined to deal decisively with anyone who wants to ferment trouble in the state, adding that Delta State was not part of South East and therefore IPOB cannot implement its sit-at-home in the state.
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