JUST IN: Violence Erupts In Delta Community Over Death Of Vigilante Chair In Police Custody

Violence has enveloped Evwreni Community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State following the alleged death of the vigilante chairman of the community while in police custody.

This comes at a time protest against ‘brute policing’ by a department of the Nigeria Police Force with hashtag #EndSARS continued unabated across the country.

BIGPEN reports that in the renewed crisis in Evwreni, several houses have been torched and vehicles burnt down as outrage continued over the reported death of the vigilante chairman who was arrested some months ago by the police.

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The deceased simply identified as Tuesday Okuah, was arrested by the police tactical team from Abuja following a petition that he was instrumental to the killing of one Sylvester, a younger brother to the immediate past Executive Director, Projects of the NDDC, Engr. Samuel Adjogbe.

Sylvester was reportedly killed by community armed youths in July this year on the heels of the leadership crisis rocking the outlawed Evwreni vigilante group which was formerly chaired by Okuah.

Tension were already simmering in the community following the arrest of Okuah before news filtered in on Saturday that he was allegedly killed in police custody, a development which had sparked the orgy of violence.

Miffed by the reported death, members of the disbanded vigilante loyal to Okuah were said to have gone on rampage on Saturday night, destroying houses and cars belonging to perceived enemies.

The rampagers, it was gathered shooting sporadically shot the former President-General of the Kingdom, Olorogun Victor Ohare and burnt three houses including the home of Alhaji Unuagha Mumaika, a former chairman of the Delta Muslims Pilgrimage Board, which was also damaged.

The rampaging youths had also attempted to burn down the palatial edifice of a former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor and also the residence of a former NDDC EDP, Engr. Adjogbe, not for the presence of security personnel who repelled them.

Multiple reports claimed that a soldier drafted to the area for peace keeping was among those shot by the rampaging youths. The development reportedly forced many to flee their homes in drove for fear of being killed.

Meanwhile, local police in the area have continued to maintain sealed lips over the reported death of the Evwreni community vigilante chairman, whose unconfirmed death have sparked the renewed tension and unrest.

Okuah, who was reported to have died while in custody of the Inspector General of Police, IGP monitoring team, Abuja, was recently invited by the police alongside the traditional monarch of the community, HRM Oghenekwevwe Kumane and five others namely; K. K. Kumane, James Asakpa, Ochuko Kumane, Kelly Omojugheri and Stephen Atiri to Asaba by the IGP team for further investigation before they were taken to Abuja.

“He allegedly died last night (Friday) while in custody of the IGP monitoring team that were investigating the matter under the guise of him committing suicide while in detention”, a source disclosed.

The dependable source who preferred anonymity revealed: “The late Okuah in company of Ochuko Kumane, Kelly Omojugheri and Stephen Atiri, were all taken to Abuja by the team for further investigation.

“It was while in custody that he was killed with the police claiming that he committed suicide while in detention.”

But when contacted by one of our correspondent, the Delta State commissioner of Police, Mr. Hafiz Inuwa reportedly feigned ignorance of the incident stating that the state command is not aware of the incident.

He said: “I’m in Delta, I do not know what is happening in Abuja. I am just hearing it from you now because we were not informed. If we are not the ones investigating the matter, I won’t know. As far as our command is concerned, we are not aware of it.”

Also, several calls and messages to the officer in charge of the IGP monitoring team, ACP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman where not responded to. Force Police Public Relations Officer, FPRO, Frank Mba, who was also contacted as of time of filling this report, promised to get details on the incident but was yet to do so when the report was published.

BIGPEN