Nigeria Content Online

At least three
people were feared dead while scores were injured yesterday in renewed
hostilities between two rival youth gangs in Ekpan community in Uvwie
Council of Delta State.

Commercial
activities and social life were paralysed in the community as shops,
offices and market places were closed down following the terror
unleashed by the rampaging youths. Some residents were seen fleeing the
community, which has been a battle ground for four days.

The community has been embroiled in communal conflicts between two warring youth groups over the leadership of the youth body.

It was gathered
that heavy fighting commenced as soon as the governorship and state
house of assembly polls were rounded off in the area, which caused
stampede as voters scampered for safety in nearby buildings.

A resident, Andrew
Okotete said yesterday’s clash erupted when one unidentified youth was
shot dead by a rival group, which prompted both women and young men to
take to the streets to vent their anger over the gruesome killing of
the youth.

“We are tired of
these senseless clashes by youths in this community. Our lives and
properties are no longer safe in this locality. Many of us including
our children cannot sleep at night anymore following the heavy gun
shooting from the opposing gang members. We are now at the mercy of
these warring youths.

“We call on the
government of the day to do something as a matter of urgency to address
the situation in Ekpan community before it gets out of hands. We can no
longer continue to live in the land of lawlessness and chaos as if
there is no government in this country,” he stated.

The Divisional
Police Officer (DPO) in the area, Muazu Mohammed, confirmed the
incident, but said it was only one person that was killed, adding that
officers had been drafted to the area to maintain law and order.

According to him,
“We have deployed our anti-terrorist team to the area and they have
been positioned at strategic locations. We are very optimistic that our
men will be able to curb the crisis with the hope of bringing normalcy
to the area.”

Women protest

Meanwhile, over 50
women yesterday took to the streets of Ekpan accusing a prominent
leader of the area, Newton Akpofodor of being the brain behind the
perennial violent clashes in the community.

The women who sang
war songs in Uvwie language, appealed to the Federal Government to take
over the matter, calling for the arrest of Mr Akpofodor as the only way
peace could return to the community.

The traditional
ruler of Uvwie, Emmanuel Sideso, at the weekend, expressed dismay over
the crisis which has bedevilled the community, accusing the Council
Chairman, Peter Abugewa, and Mr Akpofodor, of fanning the embers of
violence in the area.

He noted that the
major reason they were arming the youths was because they wanted their
businesses to be protected, warning that such untoward actions were not
good for peace and security as well as the overall development of the
area.

He bemoaned the general insecurity in the community as a result of the periodic crisis masterminded by them.

The monarch noted
that “Security is a problem in my Kingdom. When I was enthroned I
established palace security to complement the efforts of the local
government and we have been working very hard. I want change and
improvement. Some of the problems are traceable to the key people who
have loyalists to protect their interests. “

“What is happening is criminal. When they are arrested, you find out they are released immediately.”