Suspected Herdsmen Attack Leaves One Hospitalised in Delta Community

UGHELLI, DELTA STATE – Fear and anxiety have engulfed residents of Edjekota-Ogor community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State following renewed attacks by suspected armed Fulani herders, leaving one resident hospitalised with gunshot and machete injuries.

The President-General of the community, Pastor Oghenemakpo Uyo, who spoke with journalists, lamented that the once peaceful agrarian settlement has come under repeated attacks by suspected herders allegedly operating from nearby bushes.

According to him, the latest incident occurred at about 8 p.m. last week when a young father, who had gone to purchase food for his three-month-old baby, was ambushed along the Oviri-Ogor–Edjekota-Ogor Road while returning home.

Uyo alleged that the attackers ordered the victim to accompany them to an undisclosed location. However, when he refused, they reportedly attacked him with machetes before opening fire on him.

He explained that the sound of the gunshots alerted members of the community vigilante group, whose swift response forced the assailants to flee into the surrounding bush.

According to the community leader, the suspects abandoned a cutlass and a bag containing food items, cigarettes and a bottle allegedly filled with ammunition during their escape.

The victim, who is currently receiving treatment at a hospital and requested anonymity, recounted his ordeal.

“I had gone to buy food for my baby when they suddenly emerged and asked me to follow them. When I refused, they started attacking me with machetes and shot me several times. They were three in number, armed with rifles and speaking Hausa. I survived only because the community vigilante arrived, forcing them to flee,” he said.

Uyo further alleged that two days after the attack, another group of suspected herders emerged from the same bush to purchase food in the community.

He said the individuals were apprehended by residents and handed over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of ‘A’ Division, Ughelli, along with items allegedly recovered from them.

He also disclosed that operatives of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) narrowly escaped an ambush by the same suspected attackers while carrying out official duties in the area.

Reacting to the development, House of Representatives aspirant for Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Hon. Obakpororo Johnny, condemned the attacks and appealed to both the Federal Government and the Delta State Government to urgently strengthen security in Edjekota-Ogor and other vulnerable communities in Ughelli North.

He warned that unless decisive action is taken, residents would continue to live under the threat of violence and insecurity.

Meanwhile, efforts to obtain the reaction of the Delta State Police Command were unsuccessful. Calls placed to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, were not answered as of the time of filing this report.