By Elo Edremoda, Warri

Residents of Obubu Community in Udu Council area of Delta State have appealed to the Delta State government to provide relief materials for them following an “unprovoked” arson attack by suspected members of neighbouring Oleri community on Tuesday, June 15.

The community was attacked over land tussle in an area the councillor representing Obubu Ward, Oputu Awhotu, claims has “never been in dispute.”

About four people, including one Joseph Umukoro, sustained bullet wounds in the attack that saw over 20 houses allegedly torched, as well as old people, women and children were allegedly displaced.

Some houses that did not succumb to the inferno were said to have had their windows and doors destroyed.

Electricity poles were also brought down and used to barricade a part of the major road linking Oleri in the outskirts of the Obubu community.

Read Also: A’Ibom community gives Mobil 14 days over N82bn oil spillage judgment

While reliving the ordeal to The Nation, some of the victim, cried to the government for immediate assistance in terms of relief items.

They lamented that their means of livelihood were “all gone” as a result of the onslaught in the nearly deserted community.

An octogenarian, Mary Owhelalor-Edoreh, narrated in Urhobo language how on seeing the attackers, she tried to escape into her home, a building she shares with her son, Efe, a commercial tricycles operator.

Seventy-Three-year-old Joseph Obubu, an elder whose house was razed, recounted how he was captured and nearly killed by the assailants.

Patience Emmanuel Ajuya, a mother of eight who was found in the community’s town hall, said: “I am just confused. Where do I start from? All the things in my shop, my freezer, goods, were burnt. One thing, we could not save. My children are in my relative’s place in another village.”

The Councilor Obubu Ward whose properties were also set ablaze noted that school resumption can only be considered when “the matter is settled” to ensure the safety of pupils and teachers.

Efforts made to get leaders of the Oleri community to comment on the matter were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

The Chief Press Secretary of Udu Council Chairman, Henry Obus, said efforts are on by the council to resolve the issue, adding that “a committee has been set up to investigate the matter.”