From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
Violence has erupted in Ubulu-Uku, an agrarian community in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State where local vigilante members engaged a murderous gang of armed men.
The bandits suspected to be herdsmen were said to have launched an attack on a member of the local security outfit, killing him along the Ubulu-Uku-Issele-Uku road on Monday.
The deceased ,Sule, who hailed from Isho quarter of Ubulu-Uku had resumed for the day’s work unknowing that the gunmen had laid ambush for him.
A local source said “as he was changing his clothes to his official uniform, a man armed with gun, reportedly emerged from the bush near the security post and shot him in the head. He died before help could come.”
The development irked his colleagues, who went after the marauding gunmen on a vengeful mission, combing the bushes.
Their efforts reportedly paid off as they apprehended three suspects, including a commercial motorcyclist believed to be working for criminal elements.
However, the killer herdsmen attempted to to set the suspects free, but they were repelled by the police and vigilance members.
As a result, the gunmen were said to have regrouped and mounted a road block on Ubulu-Uku-Issele-Uku road with a view to attacking any passers-by.
But the intervention of a detachment of police men from the Delta State Command in collaboration with vigilance men dislodged the gunmen.
Confirming the development, the state Commissioner of Police, Wale Abass,said normalcy has been restored to the troubled community.
Abass said two persons were killed in the attacks by warring groups, adding that one suspect is presently in custody, helping operatives with investigation.
“There was breakdown of law and order in Ubulu-Uku as a result of altercation between two groups, but before then there was a problem between the vigilante and herders which was the death of a vigilante member.
“The death of the vigilante member was not reported, rather they took laws into their own hands, laid ambush and two people were killed.
“What we have done is to deploy more tactical teams, who have restored normalcy. I want to appeal to our people that we are not in Banana Republic, you do not need to take laws into your own hands. Report whatever security threat to the police for proper resolution,” he said.
Meanwhile, locals said the community has become volatile, claiming a middle aged man was last week abducted almost at the same spot where Sule was allegedly murdered, and got released after payment of ranson.
Two weeks ago, another victim was also said to have been kidnapped.
This is besides the alleged strangling to death of a 76-year woman identified as Theresa Okocha at her apartment.
In 2016, the traditional ruler of the community, Ofolue, was murdered by gunmen believes to be herdsmen who abducted him.
However, the community has called on the CP for motorized patrol of Ubulu-Uku-Isele-Uku road which has become a death trap as the bush had been invaded by killer herdsmen.
A community leader, Ifeanyi Nwaokolo, said,” the police have said that we should not put laws into our hands, but the Fulani herdsmen will put laws into their hands and kill innocent citizens. We are on our homes , living a peaceful life, before strangers came to disrupt our peaceful existence. If the CP wants us not to put laws into our hands,he should beef up security on the dangerous road”.