Panic In Ughelli As Suspected Fulani Gunmen Shoot Resident, Ambush Tantita Operatives

Palpable tension has gripped Edjekota-Ogor community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State following a series of alleged attacks by suspected Fulani gunmen, leaving one resident hospitalised and forcing operatives of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) to flee an ambush at their duty post.

Community leaders say the once peaceful agrarian community has come under repeated attacks, prompting renewed calls for urgent intervention by the Delta State and Federal Governments.

Speaking to journalists, the President General of the community, Pastor Oghenemakpo Uyo, alleged that the attackers invaded the area through the Oviri-Ogor/Edjekota-Ogor Road at about 8:00 p.m. last week and attacked a father of a three-month-old baby who was returning home after purchasing food for his child.

According to Uyo, the assailants ordered the victim to accompany them to an unknown destination. When he refused, they allegedly attacked him with a cutlass and shot him multiple times, leaving him with serious injuries.

“I heard the gunshot and immediately alerted the community security outfit to trace the direction of the sound. On sighting the vigilantes, the attackers fled into the bush, abandoning a cutlass and a bag containing a Ragolis bottle filled with AK-47 ammunition, sugar, packets of cigarettes, garri and pepper,” he said.

The injured victim, whose identity was withheld, recounted his ordeal, saying the attackers were three in number, spoke Hausa and carried rifles.

“They asked me to follow them, but I refused. They started attacking me with a cutlass and shot me several times, but God saved me. When they noticed the community vigilantes approaching, they fled into the bush before help arrived,” he said.

Uyo further disclosed that two days after the incident, another group of suspected herdsmen emerged from the same bush to purchase food items in the community. He said they were apprehended by residents and handed over, along with arms allegedly recovered from them, to the Divisional Police Officer of A Division, Ughelli.

The community also alleged that staff of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited narrowly escaped an ambush by the same suspected gunmen while on duty, heightening fears over the deteriorating security situation in the area.

Condemning the attacks, House of Representatives aspirant for Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency in the just concluded Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Hon. Obakpororo Johnny, called on the Delta State and Federal Governments to strengthen security in Ughelli North, particularly Edjekota-Ogor community.

He urged the authorities to take swift action to protect lives and property, warning that the recurring attacks pose a serious threat to the peace and stability of the community.

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Community leaders and residents have also appealed for the immediate deployment of additional security personnel to prevent further attacks, restore confidence among the people and safeguard lives and property.

As of the time of filing this report, the Delta State Police Command and other relevant security authorities had yet to respond to the allegations or issue any official statement on the development.This version reads more smoothly, maintains journalistic attribution for unverified allegations, and is suitable for publication.