Not less than 12 trucks and one military vehicle were destroyed as angry youths stormed the streets of Otovwodo, a suburb of Ughelli in Delta state to protest the arrest of over 96 youths in Ughelli and Warri, two commercial cities in the oil rich Delta state.
Besides the trucks and military vehicle destroyed, not less than 20 youths were also reportedly injured in the melee that sprang up following the violence orchestrated by the arrest of the youths who have been whisked to Port Harcourt by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Efemena Umukoro, youth president of Urhobo Progress Union, who briefed Emerald News on Tuesday night, disclosed that the protest happened in the twin cities of Ughelli and Warri simultaneously, a development which led to fatalities among youths and the destruction of properties in Ughelli.
According to Umukoro, the protest was started by unknown group of youths who claimed to be aggrieved by the action of EFCC officials. He told this medium that the EFCC operatives stormed Warri and Ughelli a few days ago and indiscriminately arrested over 96 youths.
He said though the UPU youth wing leadership condemned the indiscriminate arrest of youths, he also condemned the acts of his people who transferred their aggression on properties of innocent persons who are striving to make ends meets and take care of their children. He said destruction of government and private properties is not the right way to go.
Umukoro, who spoke to Emerald News from Otovwodo where he had gone to have a firsthand assessment of the damage done by the rampaging youths said: “I’m at Ughelli at the moment. I can tell you that over 12 trucks have been destroyed.
“They are not owned by EFCC personnel but private businesses. A military vehicle was also destroyed. Many youths were injured in the melee. Bullet flew and hit many persons. I cannot quantify the level of destruction I’ve witnessed today in Ughelli.
“As the ethnic youth president, I condemn the harassment of our youths, but our people should also not take laws into their hands. To destroy and loot legitimate business of people is wrong. The trucks burnt do not belong to EFCC.
“The military personnel who came started shooting in the air, the youths retaliated and that was when they started attacking the military. I understand that accidental discharge occurred and so many youths were injured. This is not what we want at this critical time.
“For now I have been able to get to persons injured in the hospitals. The military, the Nigerian police, civil defense and vigilante officials are at Otovwodo where the incident happened and there is normalcy everywhere.”
He called on the EFCC operatives to carry out their duties according to law, saying indiscriminate harassment of people should be discouraged. He also said the EFCC officials should employ the same energy to face Nigerian politicians who have stolen and continue to steal the wealth of Nigerians and bring them to justice.
The Urhobo youth president told this medium that his group is on top of the situation, adding that he will be heading to the EFCC office in Port Harcourt to facilitate the release of the young persons illegally arrested.
Comrade Unukoro advised all residents, especially youths to remain indoors and discontinue every act that could escalate the tensed atmosphere in the town.
