By Abel Johngold, MNIPR
A late-night attack on Sunday in Iyara Community, located in the heart of Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State, has left a house razed and several people injured. The attack was reportedly carried out by unidentified armed youths.
Sources from the community stated that the assailants, armed with guns, cutlasses, and other dangerous weapons, stormed the area at about 10:47 PM, firing shots into the air to disperse residents. In the ensuing chaos, some individuals sustained severe injuries.
Eyewitnesses recounted how women and children fled in terror as the attackers freely brandished their weapons. Bullet-riddled walls and damaged commercial tricycles were seen at the scene of the assault, further highlighting the scale of destruction.
While the exact motive for the attack remains uncertain, many residents speculate that it could be linked to the recent ward delineation exercise announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Warri South. A reliable source revealed that similar attacks had occurred in nearby areas two days earlier, allegedly as a demonstration of grievances over the INEC exercise, following a Supreme Court judgment on the matter.
Warri South Local Government Chairman, Comrade Isaac Agbateyinro, confirmed the incident but stated that the perpetrators were yet to be identified. “Upon receiving reports of the attack, I immediately mobilized security forces to restore order. As we speak, adequate security has been deployed, and peace has returned to the area,” he assured.
Chief Onoriode Okoh, a former youth leader and stakeholder in Iyara Community, expressed shock over the attack. He condemned the destruction of property and the injuries inflicted on innocent residents. Urging against ethnic sentiments, he emphasized that the Urhobos, Itsekiris, and Ijaws have coexisted peacefully for years through intermarriages and communal ties.
He advised against retaliation, urging youths to allow law enforcement agencies to investigate and apprehend the culprits. “If this attack is indeed linked to ward delineation, grievances should be directed to INEC rather than disrupting the peace of our community,” he added.
Legal practitioner Chief Robinson Ariyo also weighed in on the controversial ward delineation process. He criticized the manner in which the exercise was conducted, describing it as flawed and in violation of constitutional provisions. Citing legal irregularities, he argued that INEC proceeded despite an existing court appeal and a Motion on Notice seeking to halt the exercise.
“To ignore an error is to encourage intellectual dishonesty. INEC was fully aware of the pending legal actions but chose to proceed regardless,” Ariyo stated, calling for a review of the delineation process to ensure fairness and compliance with legal frameworks.
Meanwhile, security agencies have intensified efforts to investigate the attack and bring those responsible to justice. Residents remain hopeful that authorities will act swiftly to prevent further violence and restore confidence in the electoral process.
