Benin-Abraka Road: DELSU Staff, Son, Relative Killed During Suspected Fulani Herdsmen Gun Battle With Vigilante

By Esegbue Bertrams, Obiaruku

Suspected Fulani herdsmen on Sunday shot dead a middle aged man, Engr. Mike Egba, along with two male passengers in his car, along Abraka/Benin road by Oghonogbo farm settlement junction.

The incidence occurred at about 9a.m. on Sunday.

Eyewitnesses said the man, while coming from Obiaruku/Abraka axis of the road, drove into a gale of gunfire and he was killed instantly as a bullet pierced his head through his eyes.

His corpse was later deposited at Obiaruku Hospital mortuary alongside the bodies of the two other victims by the police.

Oasis Magazine (OM) gathered that the gunfire was an exchange of bullets between the herdsmen and Oghonogbo vigilante men.

Sources added that the herdsmen overpowered the vigilante men due to their superior gunpower, believed to be AK47 guns and that the vigilante men sustained various degrees of injuries.

Egba, a staff of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka with the Physical Planning Department, was on his way to his plantain plantation at Evboesi when the incidence happened.

One of the other 2 victims is said to be Engr. Egba’s son while the third victim is a close relative.

Late Egba is said to be an indigene of Ezionum in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State and was resident in Obiaruku from where he goes to work at Abraka daily.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Etaga Bright said he was not aware of the incidence but promised to call back as soon as he gets the facts of the matter.

Meanwhile a police source from Obiaruku under conditions of anonymity said the incidence happened in Edo area, not on Obairuku soil, but confirmed that the victims are from the area.