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From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri
The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Samuel Erale, has ordered a thorough investigation into the killing of a youth popularly known as Don Cross in Okpara Inland, Ethiope East Local Government Area, following an outbreak of violence in which hoodlums allegedly attacked community leaders, burnt vehicles and vandalised the town hall.
Erale gave the directive during an on-the-spot assessment of the affected community, where he met with community leaders to assess the situation and discuss measures to restore peace and order.
The incident reportedly followed a drug raid allegedly carried out by some persons from a yet-to-be-identified security outfit in the community on October 12, 2026, during which Don Cross was allegedly shot.
The youth later died while receiving treatment.
The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday, said preliminary investigations showed that some miscreants took advantage of the incident to unleash violence on community leaders and destroy property.
According to the police, the hoodlums attacked the residence of the President-General of the community, set two of his vehicles ablaze and damaged his house. The residence of the Vice President-General was also attacked and destroyed.
The attackers reportedly vandalised the community town hall and set two vehicles, including a motorcycle used for vigilante operations, ablaze.
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Edafe said: “Preliminary investigation revealed that on 12th October 2026, some persons from a yet-to-be-identified security outfit allegedly carried out a drug raid in the community, during which the victim was allegedly shot and later died while receiving treatment.
“Some miscreants subsequently took advantage of the incident to unleash violence on community leaders and destroy their properties.
“The hoodlums attacked the residence of the President-General of the community, set two of his vehicles ablaze and damaged his house. The residence of the Vice President-General was equally attacked and destroyed.
“The miscreants also vandalised the community town hall and set two vehicles, including a motorcycle used for vigilante operations, ablaze.”
In response to the violence, a combined team of police operatives from the Ughelli Area Command, Isiokolo Division and military personnel was deployed to the community to restore law and order.
The Commissioner of Police condolences to the family of the deceased and condemned the violence that followed the killing.
He ordered a thorough investigation into both the fatal shooting and the destruction of property, directing that those responsible be identified and arrested.
Erale also called on anyone involved in the attacks to voluntarily present themselves to the police for investigation, warning that those who failed to do so would be tracked down, arrested and prosecuted.
“No grievance, however legitimate, justifies taking the law into one’s hands,” the CP said, stressing that the command would not tolerate violence, intimidation or the wanton destruction of property.
He urged residents to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies and refrain from reprisal attacks, while reaffirming the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property in Okpara Inland.
