UPDATED: Delta Communal Crisis: PDP Chairman, Two Others Arrested In Possession Of Firearms

The Police in Oleh, headquarters of Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, has arrested a chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Igbide ward, and two others over illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions.

BIGPENNGR.COM understands the party’s ward chairman identified as Christopher Irivi-Ubulubu, was apprehended alongside others following a tip off.

Irivi-Ubulubu, is said to be the chairman of all the PDP wards chairmen of Isoko South LGA.

Details of the their arrest were still sketchy as of press time but the arrest is coming at the backdrop of the communal crisis between Igbide and Emede communities.

This medium had reported that suspected mercenaries allegedly hired by Igbide, joined by the locals had launched attack on Emede between Tuesday and Wednesday leaving trail of deaths and destructions.

The development had left over five persons dead and properties worth millions of naira destroyed in the unprovoked onslaught.

ALSO READ: Governor Okowa Decries Renewed Hostility Between Igbide, Okpolo-Enwhe Communities

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The two Isoko communities have been on each other jugular for years over boundary dispute but the latest mayhem may not be far unconnected to leadership crisis rocking Igbide.

Circumstances surrounding the renewed hostility have been sketchy but accusing fingers are reportedly pointed to the President General of Igbide who is said to be fueling the renewed crisis to perpetrate himself in power.

On Friday, following the killings, wanton destruction and arson, the LGA Security Council, declared the President General of Igbide wanted and urged the law enforcement agencies to go after him.

ALSO READ: IGP Orders CPs To Set Up Special Squad To Mop-up Illegal Firearms

Decrying the “acts of extreme criminality” in the area, the LGA Security Council, in a statement released by Okah Akpotha Fidelis, Press Secretary to the Chairman of Isoko South Local Government, Itiako Constantine Ikpokpo, also imposed 24-hours indefinite curfew on the two communities, beginning from 6:pm Friday, 11th December, 2020.

The LGA security Council, also suspended without salaries, The Ovies of Igbide and Emede Kingdom. The LGA, at its security meeting had also threatened to recommend the withdrawal of the monarchs’ Staff Of Offices to the Delta State Government.

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The President Generals of Igbide who is currently at large was stripped of his powers alongside that of Emede.

All effort to reach the state Commissioner of Police, Hafiz Mohammed Inuwa for comment on the brewing crisis, proved abortive as his phone number signaled busy for the many times he was called but a police source who confirmed the arrest said that mobile policemen and soldiers have since been drafted to the troubled areas.

Updates:

BIGPENNGR.COM understands the Delta State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of the PDP ward chairman, Mr. Irivi-Ukulubu, by military operatives.

The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPPRO) DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, who confirmed the arrest, said the police had commenced investigation into the incident.

Reports say the suspects were allegedly nabbed by soldiers drafted to the area to quell the crisis. The said Irivi-Ubuluku and his cohorts were lurking around one of the government schools in the community when soldiers swooped on them last week Thursday.

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“Mr. Irivi-Ukulubu, said to be in his 50s, was reportedly caught red-handed with the arms and ammunition on him and in his car while allegedly preparing to launch another attack on their neighbouring community over the purported land dispute”, a security source said.

After initial military interrogation, he and others were handed over to the Delta State Police Command through the Oleh Police Division on Friday, the source added.

PDP Ward chairman, Christopher Irivi-Ubulubu, (Middle) and others arrested in possession of illegal firearm