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Bizarre: One feared dead, two shot as Delta Youths protest against EFCC illegal arrests

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•As police deny shooting protesters

Anxiety in Ughelli community in Ughelli Local Government Area of Delta state as suspected security operatives allegedly kill one protester, brutality shot two persons following the destruction of over twelve vehicles, including trunks, tanker, and private vehicles that were conveying petroleum products, goods, and other items on Tuesday.

The Delta State Police Command has denied knowledge of the shooting of protesters at the Ughelli community on Tuesday, stressing that some of the protesting Yahoo boys were reportedly armed and they may have shot the victims.

The incident occurred at the popular Otovwodo junction in the Ughelli community at noon when the alleged protest against indiscriminate EFCC arrests went bizarre, killing suspected protesters, as two were shot and about twelve automobiles including tippers, articulated vehicles, and a tanker were razed during the protest.

It would be recalled that angry youths in Delta state alleged to be ‘Yahoo boys’ Tuesday protested at the federal government East-West Road to express disappointment over what they described as indiscriminate raids and arrests by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Congress learned that sections of the East-West road in Warri and Ughelli were blocked by the protesting youths following recent arrests by the anti-graft agency.

It was also gathered over 90 suspected internet fraudsters had been arrested by the EFFC in Warri, Jeddo, Ubeji, and other neighboring towns in less than a week.

According to sources, the protesting youths barricaded part of the road with wood and as well burnt tires.

However, the protesting youths who distanced themselves from being perpetrators of internet fraud accused the police of the sporadic shooting.

One of the protesting youths lamented, “Not every young boy who is doing well is a Yahoo Boy (Internet fraudster).”

When contacted, the Delta State Police Command spokesman, DSP Bright Edafe said the protesting alleged ‘Yahoo boys’ burnt about twelve vehicles during the protest.

He retorted, “We were told that one person lost his life, two were shot and twelve private and articulated vehicles were razed with goods worth millions of naira.”

He said the two shot protesters were reportedly receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital in the area.

Edafe, however, condemned what he considered as the lawlessness of the suspected protesting youths with no defined agenda, noting that the protest was unlawful and can’t be allowed in a lawful society.

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