Delta: Two shot dead in market revenue collection dispute

• Matters came to a head, when Oyibo was accosted by yet-to-be-identified persons while he was collecting levies from small-time traders at the market

A dispute over control of market revenue collection have claimed two lives in Delta State.

The incident happened in Ughelli main market shared by two communities, Iwhreko and Ekiugbo, in Ughelli North local government

It is gathered that one of the deceased, Onome popularly called Oyibo was gunned down at the Ughelli main market while the other identified as Nathaniel died from bullet wounds at the Ughelli Central Hospital.

Matters came to a head when Oyibo was accosted by yet-to-be-identified persons while he was collecting levies from small-time traders at the market.

According to a source familiar with the matter, after the guys accosted Oyibo, traders intervened in the matter and while the issue was being resolved, sounds of gunshots were heard.

“Initially we thought it was a knockout and as the sound was vibrating, all the traders in the market scampered for safety only to return and find the lifeless body of Oyibo just by the front of the former Eco Bank just after the Adagharagba junction.

“Moments later, we saw about three women and two men helping another victim, Nathaniel with bullet wounds from the market by Adagharagba Street and he was rushed to the hospital”.

“The other injured victim died moments ago from bullet wounds at the hospital and the matter is under investigation.” Daily Post quoted the Security source as saying

The Chairman of Ughelli North local government council, Olorogun Jaro Egbo said, “I learned that somebody was shot and I quickly informed the security agencies, the Area Commander, the Army formation and they have gone there to clear the area.

“We have not got a clear picture of who was shot and the cause of the shooting but by tomorrow when I get to the office, I will get a clearer picture, so I can respond.

“But for now we are ensuring that peace is restored so that the issue will not escalate, we have asked policemen to take over the place” he posited.

The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Edafe Bright, confirmed the development.