Several persons were Thursday evening injured in a clash between Afiesere and Ogbonvwan communities in Ughelli South local government area of Delta State following the state government’s abolishing of what is known as “deve levies” in Delta.
While the victims are reportedly receiving medical attention at the Ughelli general hospital, it was gathered that many of them are in critical condition and may be referred to the teaching hospital where they can get proper medical attention.
The state governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, it will be recalled, had few months ago signed into law the bill abolishing the collection of “deve levies” by any individual in the state, but some youths are alleged to be still collecting the money from whoever buys land in their communities.
Trouble reportedly started when persons from one of the communities accosted land developers to demand for “deve levies” already abolished by the state government. Reports say the Ogbovwan community tried to prevail on the people of Afiesere to stop the illegal extortion. This resulted in verbal cross fire and free-for-all fight with dangerous weapons freely and allegedly used in the melee.
Eyewitness, Martin Luke said both communities engaged each other with dangerous weapons that left many of the people injured and taken to the hospital for treatment.
The commissioner of police in the state, Mustafa Muhammad, who confirmed the incident, said investigation was ongoing and that the matter has been transferred to the state CID for further investigation.
Muhammad said, “Six persons were arrested and the matter transferred to the state CID for further investigation, while those arrested will be charged to court on completion of investigation. No life lost but those injured are in critical condition at the Ughelli general hospital where they are admitted.”
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