There
has been palpable tension and anger in Warri and its environs for the
past few days after a Naval personnel attached to NPDC shot and killed
two community youths following argument over job slots in the company.
Security operatives in the area
Palpable tension and anger has been reported in Ifiekporo community
in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, the host community
of the Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) and Nigerian
Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) where a naval personnel, last
Friday, allegedly killed two youths over an argument on job slots.
The deceased youths, one of them simply identified as Agbolu was
from Ifie community where the company is sited in Warri South while the
other whose names could not be ascertained was from Ekpan in Uwvie Local
Government Area.
The incident which happened at about 2:30 p.m. last Friday has set
both communities in tension. It was reliably gathered that youths from
both communities were engaged in job slot negotiations with the
management of NPDC when argument arose that was amicably resolved but
shockingly the navy officer was said to have moved in and shot first
into the air before shooting point-blank at the two boys who died
immediately.
The slain youths
According to ThisDay
newpaper, some youths in the community are said to be gearing up for a
showdown with naval personnel deployed in the area over the
“unjustifiable” killings of the harmless youths.
Security sources said the community was particularly irked at
attempt by the Nigerian Navy to twist the event leading to the shootings
by claiming that the deceased youths attempted to snatch a rifle from
the naval rating.
“The youths of Ifiekporo and their elders are angry with the
navy when they heard that their officers were claiming that the youths
were shot when they attempted to snatch the rating’s AK 47 rifle. This
incident occurred in the presence of other sister security agencies, as
well as workers of the oil company,” the source maintained.
Speaking on the matter at the police A division headquarters,
Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Hon. Mofe Edema,
expressed sadness over the shooting saying: “This is one killings
too many. How can NNPC security personnel be killing these innocent
community youths like flies every time. It is just not fair!”
Reacting to the last Friday’s incident, the Commander Nigerian
Naval Ship, NNS Delta, Commodore Ibrahim Dewu, in a statement issued
yesterday said the naval command has commenced thorough investigation
into the incident.
According to him, “In respect to the incident that happened at
the Warri Refinery, I wish to emphasise our readiness to protect lives
and property in our AOR. In doing this, we will be cognizant of the need
to relate cordially with our host communities. I assure you that
investigation is still ongoing on the issue,” he stated.