THERE is apprehension in
Agbarha-Otor kingdom in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State
following a reign of terror unleashed on the people by hoodlums in the last few
days.
The Area Commander,
Ughelli, Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP, Awosola Awotinde confirmed to
Saturday Vanguard that 34 persons were in police net in connection with the
orgy of violence.
It was gathered that no
fewer than 20 women and girls, including an eight-year-old daughter of the
Vicar of an Anglican church in the community were raped by the hooligans, who
also set ablaze a police patrol vehicle.
A number of police
officers were, at the outset, sent to the palace of the monarch of
Agbarha-Otor, His Royal Majesty Richard Oghenevwogaga, Ebelle-Okorefe I, to
secure the king’s abode following a breakdown of law and order in the
community, Wednesday night, but rampaging hoodlums overpowered them.
At press time, last
night, the monarch has relocated from the palace for safety reason, while the
Area Commander, Ughelli, has reinforced security in the town. Saturday Vanguard
also sighted soldiers in the troubled community.
The hooligans, numbering
about 100 were angry that the monarch refused to participate in the traditional
“Ekene” festival on grounds that he is a Christian.
According to our source,
“they wanted the king to make sacrifice to the deity, but he refused, saying he
is a Christian and they should go ahead without him contributing money or
cooking for them during the feast, as some of the priests and chiefs demanded.
“His refusal to take part
in the feast infuriated the hooligans, who vowed to foment trouble and they
executed their mission on Wednesday, the last day of the feast. The unfortunate
thing is that some chiefs even supported their rebellion,” he added.
Saturday Vanguard learnt
that hoodlums allegedly expelled from the community because of their criminal
escapades, started with the clergyman because it was in his church that the
king held a thanksgiving service recently.
Besides raping the
clergyman’s eight-year-old daughter, hospitalized because of the incident and
other girls, they also hijacked the property of people, claiming that the deity
wanted them.
A community leader said,
the miscreants engaged in raping of women (married and single) since the
festival, which is held once every 15 years started on 27th of March. It
took a worrisome dimension Wednesday night as they invaded the Church’s
vicarage, destroyed and looted properties worth thousands of naira after
making the vicar and his households undergo some inhuman treatments.”
According to our source,
“on their way from the vicarage, they invaded the shop of the Queen Mother of
Agbarha-Otor and raided her shop; they stole wines and practically every other
thing in the shop and also vandalized the freezer.”
Source
Vanguard Nigeria
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