Soldiers allegedly invade Delta community, shoot two, dozens injured

Two persons were shot, while others were wounded in the confusion that followed on Saturday in the Okere Community in Warri Metropolis of Delta State.

It was gathered the victims were shot by security operatives believed to be soldiers of the 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army.

The victims were identified as Macaulay Uku and another simply identified as Eguono.

Uku, according to various sources, was shot early in the afternoon while Uku was shot later following a disagreement between the soldiers and some youths.

Although the cause of the latest crisis in the Itsekiri enclave of Warri was still shrouded in controversy, sources said it was connected to the visit to the enclave by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III.

“I don’t really know what happened but what we heard was that the Olu went to the shrine as part of his visit to Itsekiri communities.

“One side said at the shrine he tried to dab olive oil but was resisted by youths of the community,” a local source said.

It was, however, not clear how soldiers were deployed to the community.

Brigadier General Sanusi Aliyu, Brigade Commander 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Asaba, could not be reached for comment.

Major A. E Kabara, the erstwhile PUblic Relations Officer of the Brigade, who was contacted, said he had been redeployed.

He further said a replacement was yet to be named.

NATION