President-General of Edjekota-Ogor Community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, Pastor Oghenemakpo Uyo, has narrated how suspected armed herdsmen have been unleashing terror on residents and security personnel in the area.
Speaking with journalists, Uyo said the agrarian community has come under repeated attacks from suspected herdsmen operating from surrounding bushes, creating fear among residents and threatening their means of livelihood.
According to him, the latest attack occurred when a resident and father of a three-month-old baby was returning home after purchasing food for his infant.
He explained that the victim was intercepted by three armed men who emerged from the bush and ordered him to follow them to an unknown destination.
“The victim refused to go with them, and they immediately descended on him with cutlasses before opening fire on him. He sustained serious injuries but survived the attack,” Uyo said.
The community leader disclosed that he quickly alerted members of the community vigilante after hearing gunshots in the area.
“I heard the sound of gunfire and immediately mobilized our vigilante team to trace the source. On sighting the vigilante members, the attackers fled into the bush, abandoning a cutlass and a bag containing a bottle filled with AK-47 ammunition, cigarettes, sugar, garri and pepper,” he stated.
Uyo further revealed that just two days after the incident, another group of suspected herdsmen emerged from the same forest to purchase food items within the community.
According to him, vigilant residents apprehended the suspects and handed them over to the police in Ughelli, together with the weapons allegedly recovered from them.
The president-general also alleged that personnel of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) narrowly escaped an attack after the armed herdsmen reportedly ambushed and chased them from their duty post.
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Condemning the recurring attacks, Uyo called on security agencies and government authorities to intensify efforts to flush out criminal elements hiding in the forests around the community before the situation deteriorates further.
Also reacting, a House of Representatives aspirant for Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency in the last Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) election, Obakpororo Johnny, urged the federal and Delta State governments to strengthen security presence in Edjekota-Ogor and other vulnerable communities in the area.
He warned that the continued attacks pose a serious threat to lives and property and could disrupt economic activities if urgent action is not taken.
The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, is yet to release official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
