By EMMA AMAIZE & FESTUS AHON, Ughelli
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 hoodlumsin 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 Anglicanchurch 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 securethe king's abode following a breakdown of
law and order in the community, Wednesdaynight, 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."
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