By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
Two suspected herbalists, three elders and scores of youths were on Monday, May 22, arrested at Egbo-Uhurie Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta state, following an alleged assault on a police officer and for preventing arrest of criminal suspects.
It was learned that the police officer whose identity is yet to be identified was allegedly beaten brutally and stabbed on his neck.
Security sources in the community who spoke under strict condition of anonymity told this news medium that the police had gone to Egbo-Uhurie community to make an arrest, but the arrest was however resisted by some youths which led to an altercation that resulted to fight and injuries inflicted on a police officer.
Angered by their actions, policemen attached to the Ughelli Area Command were detailed to comb the community, and I’m the process, two suspected herbalists, few elders and youths from the community were arrested and detained pending when a thorough investigations will be completed.
Another community source disclosed also that the Police stormed the community on Tuesday afternoon in their numbers and arrested some elders while holding a meeting in the Town hall and destroyed community properties including town hall glasses, chairs and cars.
In his words; “They came destroying properties and shooting sporadically and chasing anyone on sight, is that not an abuse of human rights and against the ethics of the force, he queried”.
In a video recording made available to newsmen, the community accused the police of destroying peoples vehicles, the town hall and arresting elders who were in a community meeting.
As at the time of.filing this report, another community source confirmed the arrest but alleged that over 40 persons including elderly men, young boys and girls are still be detained at the Ughelli Area Command.
Police spokesman, Bright Edafe, a Deputy Superintendent of Police could not be reached as his was saying not reachable.