There was tears and anguished as the people of Uwheru kingdom in Ughelli North local government area of Delta State, today, reburied exhumed corpses of ten victims allegedly murdered by suspected Fulani herdsmen last month’s in a mass grave.
It would be recalled that the corpses of the victims were exhumed for autopsy at the Ughelli Central hospital following claims by the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Hafiz Inuwa that suspect herdsmen did not killed anyone in the recent attack on the community.
The remains of the victims were taken round major roads in Ughelli metropolis rowdy motorcade by visibly angry youths from Uwheru who had stormed the Ughelli Central Hospital where the corpses were kept after autopsy was carried out on them to ascertain the cause of death.
Advocate gathered from an hospital source that the suspects died from multiple gunshot wounds sustained during the attacks.
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It was also gathered that the ten victims buried today are; Dennis Itoje, Emmanuel, Andrew Itiroghene Useh, Ochuko Ovwanre, Samson Coach Ogheneoruese Philip Emesharueke, Arhiakpore Steven, Oghenekparobo, Kotor Boy, Abura Ejuweyere and Freeborn Isreal.
As a mark of honour for the victims, schools, shops, markets and other forms of commercial activities in community were grounded as people from all the villages in Urwheru kingdom came out in their large number to the venue of the funeral service.
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The different leaders of the Uwheru described the ten victims as heroes of the kingdom, who paid the supreme prize in their defense of their kingdom against marauding herdsmen.
They were later buried in a mass grave after procession and interment service at the Agadama Secondary School.
Speaking with newsmen moments after the interment, the state Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Patrick Muoboghare said, “This is a bitter pill that we are swallowing today because our children are been buried instead of them burying their fathers.
“We are sad because President Muhammadu Buhari once told Nigerians that these suspected herdsmen are not Nigerians and he has not deemed it necessary to issue any statement to chase them away from the country.
“It looks as if we are not part Nigeria anymore because since 2014 our people are being slaughter without any comments from the federal government.
In his homily, Rev. Lucky Manuwa said, today is a very sad day because the people of Agadama community are burying their sons that were killed by suspected herdsmen.
“God should avenge their death and reward those who are responsible appropriately. And the government should ensure that justice should prevail and bring to book those who are responsible”.
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