ABBI, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, is presently, tensed as suspected Fulani herdsmen invaded the community on Thursday.
Newsden can authoritatively report that it all began when the suspected herdsmen who were alleged to be brandishing AK-47 assault rifles riddled a vehicle with bullets.
An eye witness said, “the gunshots were continuous, people were running helter-skelter, the Police could not do anything as no one dared to enter the bush until the vigilante group in the community mobilised themselves.
“All through the night, we did not sleep, due to the uncertain situation.”
The Onotu-Uku of Umia quarters, High Chief Mathew Udi, said, “the shooting took place between Orogun and Abbi, they were all armed.”
Corroborating the Onotu-Uku of Umia quarters, the Onotu-Uku of Okwelle quarters, High Chief Okpor Isaac, said on Friday morning that, “It all started on Thursday morning; the herdsmen came out and they were shooting, we mobilised the Vigilante and they went into the bush.
“We thought that it was over till about 6 pm when they attacked a Tundra, they riddled the body with bullets, but the lone occupant of the vehicle was able to escape and ran back to Orogun in Ughelli North Local Government Area.
“At Orogun, she called for the assistance of the Army, when the Army got there, the herdsmen opened fire on them which led to another round of shooting.
“The shooting was so much that the Army called for reinforcement and there was panick in Abbi.
“Our Vigilante came out too and at the end, the machine (motor cycle) the herdsmen used was recovered, we believe that they are still in the bush, we kept vigil through the night and we are not sure about what will happen today.
“We need more security presence in our community, the police did not do much as they spent just few hours with our men.”
However, an indigene of the community, Hon. Kaso Eni told Newsden that, “it was a case of failed armed robbery or possibly, kidnapping. ”
Another source in the community who wants to be anonymous said, “what happened yesterday was an eye-opener for the state government to beef up security in the community.
“If government fails to act fast, what happened yesterday could trigger off communal crisis as there are a lot of issues affecting the community that only the state government can resolve.”
A source in the Abbi Police Station, said, “the DPO did his best, he mobilised men to the scene, the good thing is that no life was lost.
“We are watching the situation, there is calm in the community.”
