Pandemonium as chieftaincy title procession turns bloody in Delta community

A violent clash during a chieftaincy title conferment ceremony in Aboh, the headquarters of Ndokwa East Local Government Area in Delta State, has left one person dead and three others injured.  

The incident, which involved members of opposing factions in the community, erupted during the title procession, plunging the area into chaos.

Although the exact cause of the conflict remains unclear, sources suggest the violence may have stemmed from pre-existing disagreements surrounding the event.

In response to the unrest, the Chairman of Ndokwa East Local Government Area, Mr. Vincent Osilonya, has imposed a curfew from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. to restore order.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Delta State Command, Mr. Bright Edafe, reported that the deceased succumbed to injuries in the hospital, while efforts to maintain peace in the area are ongoing.

The situation has heightened tensions in the community, with residents calling for swift intervention to prevent further violence.

Edafe said: ” It was as a result of two factions that they have in the community.

“Somebody was given a chieftaincy title and part of the protocol was that once you are given the title, you will dance around the community.

“When he was dancing, he now danced to the faction of the group that was not on his side, so they attacked him.

“He that was dancing also carried some hunters who were escorting him. When they attacked him, the hunters retaliated.”

Similarly, a dependable source in the community, said those opposed to the chieftaincy title conferment had tried to stop the procession when they clashed with the hunters.

“In the process, shooting started; one person died and three other persons sustained various degrees of injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment”, the source who craved anonymity, said.

Reacting to the development, the council Chairman, Vincent Osilonya said: “the position is that we have imposed curfew in Aboh from 7.pm to 6.am while we are are speaking with them to sheath their swords.Nobody should take laws into their hands.”

He confirmed that three persons sustained injuries during the incident.