There is palpable tension in Edjekota-Ogor Community of Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State as gunmen on Monday attacked and injured an unidentified young man who was returning home after purchasing food for his infant child in the community.
The gunmen inflicted bodily injuries on the victim, who is currently hospitalized in an undisclosed hospital, DAILY POST reports.
Following the attack, indigenes of the community have raised concerns over the worsening insecurity in their land.
In a chat with newsmen, the President-General of Edjekota-Ogor Community, Pastor Oghenemakpo Uyo, narrated how the incident occurred.
The community leader said the assailants emerged from a bush path along the Oviri-Ogor/Edjekota-Ogor Road and attempted to force the victim to accompany them to an unknown destination.
Uyo said the victim resisted the demand, prompting the gunmen to attack him with machetes before allegedly shooting him.
He explained that the victim was later rescued by members of the community’s vigilante group, who rushed him to a medical facility for treatment.
“I heard a gunshot and immediately alerted members of the community security outfit. As they moved toward the area, the attackers fled into the bush,” Uyo said.
He added that items allegedly abandoned at the scene included a machete, a bag containing ammunition, food items, cigarettes, and other personal effects.
The injured victim, whose identity was withheld, recounted his ordeal, saying he had gone out to buy food for his three-month-old baby when he was accosted by three armed men.
“They ordered me to follow them, but I refused. They attacked me with a cutlass and shot me several times before fleeing when community vigilantes arrived,” he said.
Pastor Uyo further alleged that a few days after the incident, some suspected herders entered the community to purchase food items and were subsequently apprehended by residents.
He said the suspects were later handed over to the police along with items reportedly recovered from them.
The attack has heightened fears among residents, with community leaders calling on security agencies and government authorities to strengthen security presence in the area.
A former House of Representatives aspirant for the Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency, Hon. Obakpororo Johnny, condemned the incident and urged both the Delta State and Federal Governments to take urgent steps to address security challenges affecting rural communities.
Meanwhile, personnel of TANTITA Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) were also reported to have narrowly escaped an ambush while carrying out their duties in the area.
The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, is yet to comment on the matter.
