Soldiers shot dead, monarch beheaded in Delta

From Meluwa Kelvin, Asaba

At least four soldiers have been killed in an attack on a military formation in Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State.

A community source told Daily Trust that three of the soldiers were gunned down on the spot, while one died while receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba.

The source said, “The hoodlums attacked the army personnel and killed three officers on the spot, others were rushed to Federal Medical Center, Asaba.

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“One of the injured officers just died in FMC because he had lost much blood.

“A monarch was also beheaded in the process but we can’t tell in details which of the monarch that was killed.”

As at the time of filling this report, the military authorities had not responded to calls on the incident.

A source said the gunmen invaded Ase-Omuku community in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State and beheaded one Chief Okwudili Obi and shot others.

Mr. Victor Enebeli, youth President and younger brother to the deceased, who briefed journalists in Ase-Umoku on Friday, condemned the ugly incident.

According to the youth leader, ” At 11:00 hour on Wednesday,  08/02/2023, the gunmen went  to the house of one of our leaders at Umutu because he was their prime target. But, when they could not get him because he was not at home, at about 3:00 am, some dissident community members led the gunmen into the community and the started shooting, they shot for almost one hour, killing a community Chief Okwudili Obi  and cutting of his head. They also killed one other young man, stray bullet hit a boy of 13years with the mother, killing the boy, but the mother is in the hospital.”

Enebeli commended the military and soldiers at Sterling Energy Exploration and Production Company ( SEEPCO) for prompt intervention to chase the gunmen out of the community.

“As the gunmen were running out of the community, they shot a Policeman dead at Ashaka and also shot two soldiers and a Major in  kwale. The Major has been confirmed dead. Unfortunately, the gunmen vehicle developed fault at Ashaka and they abandoned their vehicle.

“Three other injured persons are in the hospital, who the gunmen shot thinking they were dead. The gunmen actually went to Breman Hospital by the Kwale roundabout to kill the injured people who were receiving treatment there.”

Enebeli condemned the incident and described it as barbaric and inhuman, noting that irrespective of differences amog Indigenes of Ase Umoku community, it should not lead to killing of fellow indigenes.

He noted that the relevant authority including the Nigeria Police and Nigerian Army were already informed and are aware of the incident.

A source in the community urged the Delta State Government and it’s security outfit Operation Delta Hawk to commence a thorough investigation on the incident and arrest person involved in the senseless killing and beading of an innocent Chief Okwudili Obi by gunmen. 

When contacted, the state police public relations officer PPRO DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the attack and the killing of a monarch, but could not confirmed the killing of the soldiers.

“The killing of a monarch is confirmed. yes, a monarch was beheaded,” PPRO added.