By Onome Oghenetega
Hundreds of persons on Saturday fled their homes for safety in Ekiugbo and Otor-Iwreko communities in the heart of Ughelli town over the ownership crisis rocking the popular Ughelli market in Ughelli North LGA of Delta State.
It was gathered that the crisis deepened on Saturday morning when some hoodlums reportedly beheaded a yet-to-be identified middle-aged and subsequently set him ablaze around the market.
ALSO READ: Ovie Of Igbide Kingdom In Delta Is Dead, Okowa Mourns
Already, at least two persons had been killed between Thursday and Friday from both warring communities.
It was gathered that the beheaded man hailed from Isoko area of the state but married to an Ekiugbo woman.
ALSO READ: Tompolo Calls For Unity In Ijaw Nation, Support For Prof Okaba-Led INC
Sources told our correspondent that the man’s killers had thought the deceased was from Ekiugbo until some residents identified him to be an Isoko man when he had already been beheaded and set on fire.
Our sources claimed the victim was ambushed and dragged down from a motorcycle that was conveying him to an unknown destination where he was beaten to a pulp before the suspects beheaded him.
Residents living around both communities told our correspondent that hundreds of persons have fled their homes for safety.
It was further gathered that both communities were planning retaliatory attacks over the killing of their kinsmen.
The ever-busy Ekiugbo/Ughelli market road and other adjoining streets were looking deserted as shops and offices have been shut down over the crisis.
YOU MAY ALSO READ: Buhari Should Have Spoken With Biden, Not US Secretary – Bishop Kukah
Several persons in the past had been killed over the ownership of the market over the collection of ‘sales permit’ to traders and other people doing business around the market.
Ughelli town serves as both administrative headquarters of Ughelli North and revered Ughelli kingdom.
Some traders and residents of the city fingered the Ovie of Ughelli of alleged involvement in the renewed crisis.
When contacted, Delta Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the beheading and setting ablaze of the deceased but could not give further details at the time of filing this report.
