Ex-militants invade Ughelli police station

Posted by admin Delta, Headlines, Niger Delta, State News Saturday, December 17th, 2011

By Festus Ahon, Ughelli
Suspected ex-militants invaded the Ughelli Police ‘A’ Division, destroying the patrol van belonging to the Ogor vigilante group. The apparently aggrieved ex-militants stormed the Police Station at about 4pm in protest against the alleged killing of one of their members who was seen with a pistol by members of the Ogor vigilante group at about 10am that morning.

The Saturday Vanguard gathered that the ex-militants mobilized and chased members of the Ogor vigilante group who were on routine patrol. Sensing danger, the vigilante group members drove straight to the police station, thinking that the police would be able to put the situation under control.

A dependable source told our correspondent that the security patrol van was allegedly destroyed by the aggrieved ex-militants in the presence of the police. According to the source, who pleaded anonymity, the deceased was seen on top motorcycle with a pistol, adding that the deceased shot first at the vigilante members.

He said the deceased, who allegedly engaged the vigilante boys in a shootout, was over powered, arrested and taken to the police station with the pistol, disclosing that he died while being interrogated by the police.

Contacted, the Area Commander in charge of the Ughelli Area command covering over eight LGAs, Mr Bassey Essien, confirmed the incident, saying he was in the office when a group of boys came, claiming to be members of the amnesty with a complain that one of their members was killed.

He said he immediately referred them to the DPO in charge of the Ughelli ‘A’ since he was yet to be briefed by the DPO, adding that moments later, he learnt the boys went violent and destroyed a patrol van belonging to the vigilante group.

Another police source at the division, said it was a mob action and they were yet to make any arrest, adding that the said the matter was still being investigated and prevented newsmen from taking photographs of the destroyed Toyota Hilux patrol van.

-Vanguardwp_posts