Soldiers, Police Clash With Delta Community Youths, Leaving Homes In Ashes

Rita Enemuru, Reporting

A joint operation of soldiers and police officers descended into chaos over the weekend in the Emede community of Isoko South Local Government Area, leaving several people injured and multiple properties reduced to rubble.

The security team, operating under the banner of “Operation Delta Sweep” and comprising personnel from the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, and other agencies, had entered the community with the stated aim of apprehending an alleged drug kingpin.

However, the operation took a violent turn when officers reportedly stormed a local hotel. Unable to locate their target, they instead encountered a group of guests and young people gathered for a birthday celebration.

According to dependable sources, the situation escalated rapidly when security personnel demanded that everyone present submit their mobile phones for searching.

“The people were having a birthday party at the hotel when suddenly the security team stormed the place,” a source told our correspondent. “They subjected everyone to a search and demanded that they drop their phones for inspection too.”

Resistance from some of the youths led to a heated exchange of words. “Some of the youths tried to resist the search of their phones at the hotel, resulting in a shouting match. Soon the place became chaotic and there was serious resistance against the security team, who fired multiple gunshots to disperse the surging crowd.”

Several young people sustained injuries during the ensuing scuffles. One security operative was reportedly set upon by a large mob before being rescued.

Sensing they were dangerously outnumbered, the security team retreated to summon reinforcements.

Night of Retribution

In what residents described as a retaliatory move, the security forces returned to Emede after nightfall, unleashing a wave of destruction that saw the hotel and a number of residential houses set ablaze.

Efforts to obtain a comment from the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, had proved unsuccessful at the time of going to press.

Local Government Responds

The Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area, Hon. (Comr.) Warri Friday Ovoke, has moved to reassure residents of the government’s commitment to restoring calm.

During visits to the affected areas, accompanied by the traditional ruler of the community, His Royal Majesty Johnson Egbo, Ewhiri II, and security agencies, the chairman assessed the damage, offered sympathies to impacted families, and engaged with community leaders on strategies for achieving lasting peace.

Earlier, Mr Warri imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Emede town, restricting all movement of people and vehicles outside their homes between 6pm and 6am.

The chairman insisted that Emede remains calm and peaceful, adding that the government is closely monitoring all activities to ensure the situation does not deteriorate further.

Residents have been urged to remain calm while investigations into the full circumstances of the weekend’s violence continue.