1 killed, 12 wounded in Delta communal clash

The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the killing of one Lucky Nduka, 25, in a violent clash between youths in Issele-Azagba and Otulu-Ogwashi communities in the Anicha South Local Government Area of Delta.

The spokeswoman of the command, DSP Celestina Kalu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Asaba that 12 other youths were seriously injured during the dispute over land.

Kalu said that the police responded to an emergency call from the Otulu community that armed youths from the neighbouring Issele-Azagba community had invaded the community.

“The police division in Ogwashi-Uku on Feb. 17, 2016 at about 12.30 p.m. received information that Issele-Azagba community boys went to Otulu-Ogwashi with arms to attack the community.

“So, based on the information, the state’s Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and patrol teams from neigbouring divisions were quickly mobilised to the scene.

“The corpse of one Lucky Nduka, aged 25, from Otulu was recovered from the scene,” Kalu said.

The spokesperson said the police team also rescued 12 injured youths with various degrees of bullet wounds from a nearby bush.

She disclosed that the law enforcement agents recovered one pump-action gun, four locally-made double-barrel guns and some expended cartridges from the scene of the clash.

Kalu said that the police had arrested two suspects in connection with the clash, adding that normalcy had however, been restored in the area.

She said that preliminary investigation into the clash had commenced with a view to arresting and prosecuting all those connected with the crisis.