By Ovie Okpare
The Delta State Police Command Sunday confirmed that some houses were set ablaze by irate and arms-wielding youths in Evwreni community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.
NIGER DELTA TODAY (NDT) Online reports that three houses and two vehicles were allegedly burnt by hoodlums believed to be members of the now disbanded Evwreni Vigilante Group on Saturday.
The incident forced many residents of the community to flee the community for safety as the immediate past President-General of Evwreni Improvement Union, Olorogun Victor Ohare , was allegedly shot by the rampaging gunmen.
A yet-to-be identified soldier was also alleged to have been shot by the rampaging hoodlums in the Saturday’s incident.
Trouble started on Saturday when news filtered in that the former leader of the disbanded Evwreni vigilante group, Mr. Tuesday Okuah, allegedly committed suicide in police custody in Abuja.
Okuah was arrested over his alleged involvement in the murdered of Sylvester Adjogbe, a younger brother to the immediate past NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Engr. Samuel Adjogbe, in July this year.
ALSO READ: UPDATED: Tension As Armed Youths Invade Evwreni Community, Burn Houses, Cars
It was alleged that it was the news of the death of Okuah that led to Saturday’s rampage by gunmen were members of the disbanded vigilant group.
NIGER DELTA TODAY (NDT) Online learnt on Sunday that armed military men have been deplored to the warring community to bring the growing tension under control.
The armed youths were said to have fled the community upon sighting the troop of the heavily armed military operatives.
However, confirming the incident on Sunday, the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, said police operatives have been deplored to the community to restore normalcy to the area.
Onovwakpoyeya, who could not confirm the death of the former vigilante leader, disclosed that the alleged death of Okuah was alleged to have triggered the Saturday’s attack.
She said nobody has been arrested in connection with the attack, adding that investigation into the incident has commenced.
“I can’t remember the number of houses that were burnt but I am aware of the incident. For now, police are trying to sue for calm. We are investigating the development at Evwreni”, the police spokesperson added.
When asked if the former vigilante leader committed suicide in police custody, Onovwakpoyeya said “That is the cause of the problem but i don’t know. They are alleging in the community that he is dead but i don’t have that fact. We’re not the ones who arrested him.”
