kThe Delta State Police Command said on Tuesday an 18-year-old boy, Ossai Oluem, was killed by some Fulani herdsmen during an attempt to abduct him in the Ndokwa East Local Government Area of the state, Punch reports.
It was learnt that the assailants kidnapped two women and three children in the course of the attack, although they have been released according to a statement by police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Roland Preston.
According to the police,the attack took place on Sunday, November 2, 2014, after the herdsmen invaded Umuachi-Afor community, shooting sporadically.
The police source also revealed that preliminary police investigation showed that the Fulani herdsmen had abducted their victims after one Frank Odili from the community had seized a rifle from a Fulani herdsman and insisted that they would let the hostages go only if their firearm was returned.
The statement said, “One Honourable London Onwuka, in company with two others of Umuachi-Afor community reported at the Ashaka Police Station that unidentified suspected Fulani herdsmen invaded Umuachi-Afor Community, shooting sporadically, and in the process abducted one Florence Onwuka, 42, Chukwudi Onwuka, 15, Ugochukwu Onwuka, 13, Innocent Ndego, 20, Nwabuaku Beninchukwu, 24 and took them to an unknown destination.
“In the process, one Ossai Oluem, 18, was allegedly shot dead while large/huge sums of money were stolen by the said invaders.”
Meanwhile, the police said they were yet to see Odili who had fled after the attack and had since been on the run, adding that they were yet to arrest the assailants.
“While measures have been put in place to forestall a breakdown of law and order in the affected area, the command appeals to the affected community to remain calm and go about their lawful business,” he said.
