34yrs old youth leader murdered in Delta over “DEVE” collection

By Ovasa Ogaga,

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The alleged murder of Mr Onome Ugborikefe, 34 years old youth leader in Egodo Ode, Ighwre- Egini community, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, who was reportedly killed by angry community youths over “DEVE” collection, has thrown the community into crisis.

ADVOCATE gathered that Onome a newly elected community youth chairman was allegedly killed on Sunday night at about 8pm opposite the community primary school where he was said to have fallen into drainage while running for his life when he was being chased by armed youths loyal to the former chairman.

According to a source who spoke to our correspondent, but pleaded for anonymity said, “the deceased had gone to take his bath but was chased by armed boys while returning to his house and fallen into a drainage in his naked state, as his towel had fallen off during the pursuit, they attacked him with matchet and left him to bleed to death, he was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.

“Onome has never quarreled with anyone. I don’t know why anybody would want to kill him. The source said in tears.”

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Another source in a telephone chat had said, “Trouble started when the former community youth chairman, Mr.  Palicu Kadiri wanted to erect a building on his land and was confronted by the present community Excos to pay some amount of money popularly called “DEVE”.

“But when he insisted that as a former youth chairman, he is not expected to pay ‘Deve’ and refuse to path with any money, the argument resulted to a serious fight leaving many injured and hospitalized.

“When Kadiri boys realized that their boss have been badly injured they retaliated, a situation that led to the arrest of one his boys who was taken to the Ovwian Police station and was later transferred to Okere prison.”

The source stated further that attempt by the community leaders to quell the crisis also failed to yield the desired result, adding that at the meeting which was held in the community, Kadiri  had allegedly threatened that “there will be no peace in the community unless his boy is released.”

Advocate further gather that after the alleged threat by Kadiri, some boys allegedly loyal to him launched an attacked on Mr Onome Ugborikefe, leading to his death and while flee the community to avoid possible arrest.

His death provoked the community women who took to the street protesting against leaders of the community, that they no longer want youth leaders in the community.

At the time of filing this report police and other security agencies have gone round the community for investigation and had promised to bring all those involved in the murder to face the full weight of the law.