Mary Chidi
The people of Ibrede community in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State have petitioned the Delta State Commissioner of Police over the alleged wanton killing of two persons, Ometobor Prince 32 and Julius Onogemuhor 35 years respectively and several others wounded by suspected members of Ugbo family of Ibrede community on the 24th of March 2016.

Solomon Arase, Nigeria’s Inspector General Of Police

In a two page petition signed by A. Irogbo, Esq, they called on the police commissioner to expedite action and investigate the case thoroughly with a view to bringing to book the culprits involved in the dastardly acts.

The petition which read in parts said, ”our clients had earlier complained about the invasion and forceful occupation of Anor/Odabor land in Ibrede community by strangers and members of Ugbo family of Ibrede community who were with arms and ammunition. We also mentioned in our said letter of 12th March, 2016, that Shadrack Obaduemu boasted to Kingsley Iliromah, the son of the Odion logbo that they (Ugbo family) will unleash terror on Ibrede community and the President and chairman of Ibrede community will be killed. Other vices done to members of Ibrede community as contained in our aforesaid letter were also incidented at Ashaka Police Station”.

The statement also alleged that Ugbo family truly marched their threats with action and laid ambush, firing gun shots at members of Ibrede community who were going to Otue lake for fishing and some others going to Ankra village, a neighboring village and in the process two persons were killed and several others wounded from the gun shots adding that the remains of those who were killed have been deposited in the hospital while those wounded are receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital in Delta State.

It further read: ”When we had no response from your office over the letter of invasion and occupation of Ibrede community by strangers and Ugbo family members who are armed, we wrote to the State Security Service( SSS) at Asaba of our client’s apprehension” alleging therefore that ”if our clients letter was given the desired attention, the killings and wounding would have been averted”.

The legal practitioner therefore challenged the Commissioner of Police to thoroughly investigate, arrest and prosecute those involved to prevent another round of crisis in Ibrede community where a life was lost and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed in 2014.