Delta Police Clarify Ogwashi-Uku Incident, Say No Shooting Involved as Two Die During Joint Patrol

By Chukwunonso Eric, Warri.

The Delta State Police Command has clarified circumstances surrounding a tragic incident in Ogwashi-Uku, which claimed the lives of a personnel of the Nigeria Forest Security Service and a civilian identified as Adama Augustine during a joint patrol operation.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Edafe Bright, the Command explained that the unfortunate incident occurred on May 14, 2026, along the Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku road near Mega Chis.

According to the police, a joint patrol team comprising police operatives and personnel of the Nigeria Forest Security Service was carrying out routine patrol duties when they sighted two men, later identified as Adama Augustine and another individual.

The statement disclosed that the two men allegedly fled on sighting the patrol team, prompting a chase by members of the forest security personnel attached to the operation.

Police authorities stated that during the pursuit, Adama Augustine reportedly jumped into an uncompleted building in an attempt to evade arrest. One of the forest officers, identified as Mr. Eze Ifeanyi, allegedly continued the chase into the building area. In the process, both men reportedly fell into an abandoned open well located within the uncompleted structure and drowned.

The victims were said to have been rescued and rushed to the Ogwashi General Hospital, where medical personnel confirmed them dead.

Their remains have since been deposited at the hospital morgue pending autopsy.

Describing the incident as “painful and tragic,” the Delta State Police Command expressed condolences to the families of the deceased, particularly the family of Mr. Eze Ifeanyi and his colleagues in the Nigeria Forest Security Service, as well as the family of Adama Augustine.

The Command also dismissed rumours suggesting that the victims were shot by police operatives during the incident.

“We want to make it very clear: No shooting took place. Nobody was killed by the police,” the statement emphasized.

The police further confirmed that an investigation into the incident has commenced and reassured residents of Ogwashi-Uku and the wider Delta State community of the Command’s commitment to ensuring public safety.

Residents were urged to remain calm, disregard unverified reports, and continue to support security agencies with credible information to help prevent future occurrences.