Ovie Okpare, Warri
Palpable apprehension has gripped Umunor community in Ossissa Kingdom in the Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State following an exchange of gun fire between suspected Fulani herdsmen and youths from the area late Monday evening.
Although, it was not clear if there was any casualty between both parties, it was learnt that the exchange of gun shots followed a failed attempt by some suspected herdsmen to invade the community over the lingering crisis between farmers and herdsmen in the area.
Sources in the community told our correspondent on Tuesday that the incident has led hundreds of residents to flee the area to neighbouring villages for safety.
It was learnt that the swift intervention of the security agents deployed to the area saved the situation from worsening.
A security source who confirmed the latest development in the area to our correspondent said a security post has been stationed in the area following the intervention of the council chairman and the Police Area Commander who visited the village on Tuesday morning.
“We don’t know if any casualty was recorded during Monday’s incident, but there was a heavy exchange of gun fire between herdsmen and members of the community over a failed attack on Umunor community. Our men have been drafted there to maintain peace.”
The council chairman, Mrs. Nkechi Chukwurah, when contacted on phone confirmed the incident, but said that security has been deployed to the area to curtail further hostilities.
The acting spokesman of the Delta State Police Command, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, when contacted asked our correspondent to send him text message and promised to respond swiftly; but at the time of filing this report, he had yet to reply.
punch
