War of confraternities: Three cult groups hold Ughelli to ransom, kill, burn houses as fear grips residents

The country home of the immediate past Secretary to the Delta State Government, Rt. Hon. Festus Ovie Agas, Oteri, in Ughelli North is currently enveloped with cisis as one person was reportedly killed, many injured and no fewer than four buildings razed with fire by suspected cult members on  Sunday 29th November, 2020.

Trouble started when a youth was shot and killed by a group of gunmen believed to be members of AYE confraternity.

It was gathered that the victim who is a member of Mafia confraternity and also an indigene of the community, had an altercation with leader of the rival cult group, as a result of the relationship he had with the victim’s elder sister which turned sour.

Though it is still uncertain why the shooting was carried out as the house and shop belonging to the parents of the assailant were burnt down after the incident by irate community youths.

 It was further revealed that another gang member of the assailant was the one who fired the shot.

 It would be recalled that members of the Aye confraternity have been in a running battle with the Aro baggers confraternity, and this incident might snowball into further crisis between the Aye and Mafia confraternities.

Efforts are ongoing by the leadership of the community to fish out the perpetrators who are currently at large, while the corpse of the deceased has been deposited at the Central Hospital mortuary in Ughelli, with another who was severely injured, receiving treatment at Ufor hospital.

Another source who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity said a gang of cultists and hoodlums led by some members of vigilante group in the community stormed the compound of the father of the former Resident Commissioner for Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) in then Bendel State, Chief Atuyota Ejughemre for uncertain mission.

 As at the time of filling this report the fear of possible reprisal is heightening in the community as security operatives are seen patroling the community.