3 Feared Killed In Effurun As PDP, APC Supporters Clash

Pandemonium broke out over the weekend in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, as suspected political thugs belonging to All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party clash, leaving in its trail three death and scores of injured persons.

Report says no fewer than 20 persons were either stabbed or shot during the crisis which broke out between Friday and Sunday morning when thugs loyal to both parties exchanged gunshots over the forthcoming general elections in the area.

Sources said the crisis blew up over the political supremacy tussle between the deposed former chairman of the council, Mr Henry Baro, who is now in APC and the senatorial candidate of PDP, Evenly Oboro but this couldn’t be independently verified.

Recalls that Oboro, who currently represent Uvwie, Okpe and Sapele Federal Constituency had earlier raised the alarm that there are plot to assassinate her over the forthcoming polls.

It was not clear if the fracas, which left three persons killed at the popular Jakpa Junction near Effurun market on Friday at about 11pm was connected to her alleged claims of attack against her by her opponents.

Several of the victims were rushed to the Ekpan General Hospital and Central Hospital, Warri, for urgent medical attention.

The fracas was learnt to have continued amidst sporadic gunshots on Saturday through Sunday resulting in the Effurun Market being deserted by traders.

Several sources told our correspondent that two persons were shot on Saturday during exchange of gun fire on Saturday night.

One of the sources who spoke on condition of anonymity said, ” Three persons were killed during the fight on Friday night. Two were shot dead while one was stabbed. The one that was stabbed was rushed to hospital but later died.

“The youths were armed with AK47. Hoodlums also took the opportunity to rob road users. For the now, though police and soldiers have been deployed to the different flashpoints, people are advised to stay away from Jakpa Junction and PTI road axis of Effurun.”

“It is a battle of political supremacy between APC and PDP bigwigs in the area. The APC thugs are being used by some APC leaders to cause tension in Uvwie where the PDP senatorial candidate for Delta Central”, another source added.

When contacted, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Aniamaka, confirmed the fracas and sporadic shooting in Effurun.