Suspected Cult Groups Invade Igbudu, Destroy Cars, Property In Town Hall In Shambles

By Oguns Sammy, Warri
Igbudu Market was not at peace in the early hours of Saturday as people ran helter skelter for safety because of the invasion of suspected cult groups who left the scene with windscreen of four cars and property in the town hall shattered.

The invasion which was said to be a renewed attack in recent times sent panic into the community as many of them scampered for safety.

When newsmen visited the community, people were seen gathered in groups discussing in hush tones about the havoc wrecked on the community.

The four cars destoryed are Vensis with registration number: MM 564, – KJA, Honda Accord with registration number Bur – 23 AA, Camry with registration number KP-374 LH, Mersediz Benze 200: with registration AYB 54 AE

In an interview with news men, one of victims whose car was smashed, Uko Kingsley, said he parked his car at the compound close to the community hall after off-loading his goods and entered into the market and in less than five minutes, he was informed that the windscreen of his car, Vensis with registration number MM 564 – kJA has been destroyed.

He said he did not know the direction the boys came from neither he knew any of them.

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He added that he only waited for some time for the whole saga to die down before he could see the car.

He lamented a situation where such level of destruction could take place when soldiers are stationed in strategic positions to guard the market.

He said; “l wonder how such damage could be done when there are soldiers in the market. It therefore means that more soldiers need to be deployed to the market.”

Kingsley said he does not see why people doing their legitimate business could be disturbed in this manner, saying the.market is government owned so such invasion that warranted such level of destruction is unnecessary.

Another victim, Oni Okezounu said he just parked his customer’s car not quite long in the compound and entered into the market and all of a sudden, he discovered that people were running helter skelter just as he was told in the next few minutes that followed that his customer’s car windscreen has been destoyed saying he does not know the boys in question.

When contacted, the eldest man in the community, Hon. Power Bagor, said he was not aware of the invasion of hoodlums which left four cars and community town hall property destoyed but however said he saw people running while he was seated by his house gate.

He said: “l don’t know what is actually happening, l am sitting by house gate here.”

On his part, the President of Igbudu Market, Olorogun Clement Tevwaren, said the invasion of Igbudu Market by hoodlums suspected to be cult groups did not start today as it has been a recurring decimal.

He said he has worked with his executive to ensure that soldiers in rhe market are on alert 24/7 to ensure these hoodlums are kept at bay but they kept on invading the market.

He said he has held several security meetings with the Chairman of Warri South Local Government, Hon. Michael Tidi (PhD) and after one of the meetings, he (Tidi) swung into action, adding after that, the attack died down, thinking all was over but no sooner than later, the hoodlums renewed their attacks, as he condemned it in strong terms.

He alleged that the boys commiting these havocs are from the community and many of the people know them but their refusal to single them out for the necessary punnishment to serve as deterrent to others has made these invasion unabated.

He said: “Many of the hoodlums live in the community and they know them but they have refused to single them out if not, total peace would have been restored in the market long ago, noting these boys are not ghosts, they dwell among the people’

He said all the efforts he is making to ensure peace is restored in the market have been elusive because of these area boys who refuse to identify these hoodlums.

Hon. Tevwaren therefore callef on the Charman of Warri South Local Government Area, once again, the Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa to wade into this matter to find a lasting solution to the continuous raiding of the Igbudu market by hoodlums.