Following a resumption of hostilities on Friday June 2nd 2017 between Ogbe-Ijaw community and Aladja, resulting in sporadic shooting from both sides, the Delta State Police Command working in synergy with the Nigerian Army has contained the situation.
Consequently, the Police Command dismissed rumours of deaths and killings making the rounds of both sides saying police and military personnel were on ground to avert any crisis.
Confirming the development in a statement, Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Zanna said, “On Friday 2nd June 2017, hostilities resumed in the early hours culminating in sporadic gun-firing from Ogbe-Ijaw axis towards Aladja.
“Mobile Policemen were deployed and were at alert as well 4 Army Patrol vehicles led by Captain to avert crisis.
Hence rumours of casualties making the rounds are unfounded except for minor pellet wounds to Police Sergeant Ilzika Ikowen of 51 PMF and PST Clement Apena who have both been taken to hospital
Also, the ‘A’ division of the Police in Warri averted another crisis between youths of Ogbe-Ijaw and Agbassa over market activities.
The Police said, “On the 2nd of June 2017, at about 10.19am, one Francis Ugbejavum of No. 3F Agbassa, Warri who doubles as Secretary to Agbassa Elders and Chiefs Council Community, Warri, reported that Ogbe-Ijaw youths were destroying Urhobo Traders Properties and shops.
He reported that on the 1st of June 2017, at about 2pm, he received information that some Ijaw youths from Ogbe-Ijaw were destroying Urhobo Traders Properties and Stores.
He stated that the DPO of ‘A’ division immediately called for a peace meeting and the matter was amicably resolved.
He added that in the early hours of the day, Ogbe-Ijaw youths chased Agbassa traders from coming to the Ogbe-Ijaw market and later armed themselves with guns and cutlasses and came to their community, shooting two Agbassa youths named Efe Okotie and Opia Evurherhe, causing them injuries.
While noting that the victims were taken to Central hospital, Warri, the Police said investigation into the matter is ongoing
In another development, the Delta Police Command said it has arrested two armed robbery suspects for unlawful possession of fire arms.
It said, “On the 1st of June 2017, at about 9.10pm, a surveillance patrol team, Owa-Oyibo division and Owa-Oyibo vigilante unit, arrested two armed robbery suspects.
The suspects who are from Anambra state are Nduka Nebeokike and Onyeka Okolie with two locally made cut to size pistols and two live cartridges. They have been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department.
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