Video Shows Vigilante In Shootout With Hoodlums In Railway Track In Delta

In a viral video, local vigilante members have been seen chasing hoodlums in a railway track at the university town of Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State.

www.bigpenngr.com reports that the vigilante reportedly repelled attempted attack on a railway station in the community.

Sources privy to the development disclosed that vigilante group were involved in a shootout with the hoodlums suspected to be herders who had been terrorizing the area in recent times.

It was learnt that the vigilante group engaged the invaders in a shootout at the weekend.

It was learnt that the local security personnel stormed the area shortly after they got information that the suspected herders had taken over the rail station in the area.

But another version of the incident says; “Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have been reported sighted in Abraka, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State.

According to a source who posted the viral video in a WhatsApp group, “The insurgent engaged the police team from the Delta Police Command on Friday at Abraka in a gun battle”.

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However, investigation revealed that the invaders were not Boko Haram insurgents as claimed on the social media but it was herders who were chased into the bush from the railway track area where they were first sighted, the source said.

The development had fueled tension and panic in the university town which is often prone to Fulani herdsmen attack, the source disclosed.

“The incident sent jitters to residents of the community, with some sources saying that the armed men were suspected herdsmen”.

But with the intervention of the members of the community’s vigilante team who were patrolling the area, the herders were repelled after a gun duel.

A video footage of the engagement sighted by our correspondent indicated that the vigilante men gave the marauders a hot chase while releasing volumes of gun shot at their targets.

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When contacted, the State Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, said that he cannot confirm if those being chased in the viral video were insurgents or Fulani herders as claimed on social media.

He however expressed concerns that people are quick to label hoodlums with names of ethnic groups, stating that only the vigilante men who were seen on the video can confirm those they were chasing in the rail tracks.

Recall that the state Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Ali had on July 1, stated that efforts are being made to provide adequate security along the railway route in the state.

He spoke after he visited the Railway Station at Owa Ewere in Ika North East LGA which came under hoodlums’ attack recently.