There is commotions in Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, following the beheading of a welder Mr. Solomon Ejoor, a native of Urhuoka-Abraka, by fulani herdsmen.
Reports revealed that indegenes of Urhuoka seized the decapitated body from police and took it to the palace of the Ovie of Oruarivie-Abraka, where it was kept for over four hours.
They villagers according to reports also threatened to lay siege to the Government House in Asaba, if Governor Ifeanyi Okowa does not break his silence on the Abraka killings.
The protesters destroyed cars and air conditioners at the palace, saying the monarch and his council of chiefs are not doing enough to stem the herdsmen attacks.
Inside Sources gathered that the action of the villagers forced about 100 Northerners, especially Hausa and Fulani indigenes in Urhuoka-Abraka and its environs, to flee to the Abraka Police Station for safety.
Ejoor, according to reports was ambushed and decapitated when he went to the farm to rescue his mother, held hostage by gun-toting herdsmen on Monday.
The state’s Commissioner of Police in Delta State Mr. Zanna Ibrahim, who confirmed the incident said: “I have ordered discreet surveillance of the forest to verify whether they are herdsmen or not. I am sure you know that the place is said to be under dispute between Edo and Delta states”.
“When their fire power is determined, we will strategise with sister agencies on what next to do. Meanwhile, I have reinforced the community with men of the Police Mobile Force the Police Boss said yesterday.
Addresing newsmen yesterday Mr. Zanna said “the Deputy Commissioner, Criminal Investigation Department, will visit the family of the deceased to commiserate with them. He
will also see the mother, who raised the alarm, in furtherance of our investigation”.
Narrating the incident, President General of the community, Dr. Tedwins
said, “The victim and his younger brother and two friends had gone to the bush to rescue their mother, who had gone to the farm and was trapped in the bush following sporadic shooting by herdsmen in the area.
“In her hiding position, she was able to see some herdsmen walking past as they continued shooting. After the situation had calmed down, she called her children and told them that she was trapped inside the bush.
Ejoo called the younger brother and their friends, and immediately proceeded to the bush to rescue their mother in a motorcycle without informing the community leaders.”
“They engaged in a gun battle with the herdsmen, who over powered them. Fortunately enough, three of them were able to run for their lives, but the eldest son could not as he fell from the motorcycle and was taken away by his assailants.
“The woman slept in the bush. The next day, the boys went back, rescued her, while her son was still missing. We filed a missing person report over the incident and later in the day, we got information that his body was discovered in the bush.
“Immediately, I called the DPO, who mobilised his men and the vigilante and they went to the bush to recover the body.”
