Police raid Delta community, shoot 3 villagers

POLICEMEN from Delta State Police Headquarters in Asaba allegedly shot and woundedthree persons at Ibrede community, Ndokwa East Local Government Area, Delta State, in theearly hours of yesterday.
Those shot were Favour Ogbere, Ezekiel Ibere and Iwarioka Edhere.
The Divisional Police Officer, DPO, at Ashaka, one Mr Adeleke, was reportedly not briefed about the raid carried out by the policemen from Asaba.
Leaders of Ibrede community, who spoke to Vanguard on phone, yesterday, said the policemen swooped on the town at about 4.30 am, shooting three persons.

It was gathered that since a communal clash in the community in April, the police have frequently been paying visits to Ibrede and arresting persons.
Chair, Ibrede community, Benin branch, Mr. Jackson Imegu, said there was anger in the community over yesterday’s invasion by the policemen, who came in four Hilux vehicles.
His words: ‘’The Police are gleefully doing the bidding of one of the factional leaders and his cohorts, who are against the peace efforts of very respected Ibrede sons and daughters in Diaspora and at home.
‘’Kwale prison is brimming with suspects, including the president-general of the community, Mr Finbarrs Onomerike and others, locked up at the instance of a faction since April 30 and without bail.
“Only last week, the high court sitting in Kwale granted nine of the suspects bail and that brought palpable calm and relief to the community with machinery already in motion by the Odionlogbo of the area, Chief Douglas Iliroma and other leaders of thought, on how some of the burnt houses could be reconstructed and the internally displaced persons rehabilitated, when suddenly some persons took laws into their hands and wrought the latest havoc using policemen.