Rise in small weapons hampering fight against crime in Bayelsa State, says CP
Rival cult groups in Ossissa community in Ndokwa, Delta State, have killed three persons in a bloody clash.
A source told The Guardian that the clash between ‘Eiye’ and ‘Baga’ confraternities was caused by a dispute over a girl.
The victims, one from Umueze and two from Umuleke Ossissa, in Ndokwa East Local Government Area allegedly died from gunshots exchanged in the process.
According to the source, the trouble started when the girl snubbed one of the cultists who made love advances to her, which resulted in her being beaten up.
The intervention by the girl’s relatives made members of one of the groups to invade their family house.
The clash was said to have occurred when the rival group came to rescue the embattled family.
An indigene of Ossissa told our reporter that the activities of cultists had remained unchecked in the area, making them to operate with impunity.
He expressed concern that the incident occurred in broad daylight, along the Ossissa major road and pleaded with parents and the community leaders to collaborate with the security agents to check the menace.
The immediate past Secretary to Ndokwa East Local Government, Vincent Oshilonya, condemned the killings.
He debunked the rumour that the clash resulted from a political misunderstanding over the choice of candidates in an election.
When our reporter contacted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ashaka, Ifeanyi Nmor for confirmation, he disclosed that no arrest had been made.
He urged the community leaders to cooperate by fishing out the cultists, so that they could be handed over to the law enforcement agents.
Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Police Commissioner, Amba Asuquo, yesterday lamented that the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the state, was slowing down the fight against criminal gangs, especially armed robbers.
He disclosed at the command headquarters that the police have made significant progress in curbing criminalities and recovery firearms in the arae.
Asuquo displayed various arms and ammunitions recovered from armed robbers and kidnappers.
He explained that the frequent raiding of flash points and black spots in the state has helped the police tremendously.
