A fresh altercation over purported control of tax collection at Delta state’s Ughelli Main Market has resulted in the shooting deaths of two people.
The Ekiugbo and Iwhreko villages in the state’s Ughelli North Local Government Area were claimed to have clashed on Monday.
It was discovered that the rights to collect market revenue have been the subject of a long-running conflict between the two communities.
According to reports, Onome, also referred to as Oyibo, was shot as he was in the Ughelli Main Market collecting money from small-time vendors.
After suffering severe gunshot wounds, the second victim—who was only named Nathaniel—was taken to Ughelli Central Hospital, where he passed away.
An eyewitness claims that Oyibo was occupied with gathering levies when a few unnamed males came up to him. There was a brief ruckus, and as it appeared to be over, gunfire broke out.
“At first, people assumed it was just fireworks, but when they saw Oyibo’s dead body near the old EcoBank area, everyone started to run.”
Olorogun Jaro Egbo, the Chairman of Ughelli North LGA, confirmed the occurrence and promised that security forces will act right away.
I quickly notified the local Army formation and the Area Commander after learning that someone had been shot. Since then, they have taken action to protect the place.
I’m hoping to have a better idea by tomorrow and be able to give more details. For the time being, we’re putting peace first and have requested more police to keep the market orderly,” Egbo stated.
SP Bright Edafe, the spokesperson for Delta Police Command, did, however, confirm one casualty.
