3 Killed, Residents Abandon Homes As Herders Invade Delta Community

Residents of Okpolo-Enhwe community, Isoko South local government area, Delta State, have fled their homes out of fear that killer herders might launch another attack on them.

As of Wednesday, three persons were confirmed dead and others were injured as suspected herdsmen invaded the community.

Local sources revealed that the victims who went to the bush to check their fishing nets were waylaid and shot dead by suspected herders.

The development has left the community in a mourning mood despite the presence of soldiers drafted to the area.

The president-general of the community, Kennedy Idolo, said palpable tension has enveloped the community.

He confirmed the killings, saying that two men were shot dead instantly, while the other fainted and gave up the ghost out of the shock he suffered from the attack.

“I have been briefed, and I can tell you categorically that three persons are dead at this moment and not two. Two of them were among the ones affected this morning; the third one died out of fright as he fainted while escaping from the scene.  He was not hit by any bullet, but he died on his way while he was being rushed home.

“Okoro and Okoeta were killed by the invaders. I can’t tell the number of people injured now, but they were going to their fishing lake at the early hours of the morning. They were ambushed in the bush without any provocation.

“The one called Youth by name, was shot dead on the spot while the other one was rushed to the hospital where he died. The third one collapsed out of the shock and died on his way home. They are all married men who were plying their trade at the fishing lake”.

He said that the community had made a move to deposit the corpses at the morgue, but the victims’ families insisted that they must bury them immediately.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe, said he was not aware of the incident, but promised to reach out to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area.