One Feared Dead, Others Injured, Houses Burnt In Delta Community

Pandemonium struck over the weekend when two factions clashed over who should be elected into the youth executive committee of Emu-Ebendo community, Ndokwa West local government area of Delta State.

Trouble started Saturday in the oil rich community as opposing groups clashed over election into the community’s youth executive committee, leaving one person dead while others sustained various degrees of injuries.

It was gathered that the election which was slated for last Saturday, however came few months after the immediate past Chairman of Ndokwa West, Mr. Chris Osakwe, lifted the suspension he placed on youth activities in the community.

Our correspondent gathered one of the candidates for the youth chairmanship position and his supporters called for the postponement of the election, a development which did not go down well with the opposing party that insisted that the election must be held.

“Before the day of the election, there were gunshots renting the air at night, leading to the withdrawal of a chairmanship aspirant from the race before the election because of fear. The President-General of the community was addressing the delegates when the place became rowdy and chaotic. The President-General was attacked and wounded on the leg”, a source hinted.

According to the source, “Some houses have been burnt and this morning (yesterday) we were told that another house has been burnt. Apart from burning houses, they brought out properties of some persons living in rented houses and set them ablaze.

“As the crisis was going on, it was discovered that one of the youths in the community was missing and could not be reached on his mobile phone.

“Towards Saturday even, he was found dead. His body has been deposited in the mortuary. As we speak, so many people have been taken to the hospital.”

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Andrew Aniamaka, who confirmed the incident, said one person was killed, affirming that the crisis was due to the disruption of the election by the opposing parties.

At press time, security had been beefed up in the community as there was heavy presence of soldiers and Police officers in the area.