One feared killed, others arrested, shrine torched in fresh Kokori clash

IN renewed violence, soldiers of the Sector One Command of the 3rd Battalion, Effurun, Delta State on Sunday engaged suspected militants in Kokori, the home town of the alleged kidnapper kingpin, Kelvin Ibruvwe, torching a shrine said to belong to Kelvin where guns and live rounds of ammunition were allegedly found. 

  Also, during the operations, a suspected militant was killed while others were arrested.

   Following the operation, Kokori community is now completely deserted as residents of the once bustling town have ran away to neighbouring communities to seek refuge. 

   According to the Commanding Officer of the 3rd Battalion Lt Col. Ifeanyi Otu, who toured the community yesterday to assess the situation there, said that on November 28, 2013, a criminal gang who claimed to be militants loyal to Kelvin, engaged troops deployed to Kokori to maintain law and order in a gun battle.

  “They engaged the troops from buildings and their shrine after they had earlier attacked the troop’s location. In the course of their (criminal gang) withdrawal after a frustrated attempt to recapture the town from troops, the gangs destroyed and burnt down properties within their reach.

   The gun battle which lasted for about two hours left the town deserted with over 90 per cent of its inhabitants fleeing, ” Otu said.

   The 3rd battalion commander disclosed that one suspected militant was killed in action while nine suspects were arrested. 

  Those arrested include, Messrs Thompson Sedu, Emmanuel Ovieghara, Samuel Onomabono, Edegbe Moses, Diamond Edoh.      

  Others are Glory Onovughiho, Akporiwe Imoghe, Anthony Matthew and Patrick Orile.

  Otu said the corpse of the suspected militant/kidnapper had been handed over to the Isiokolo police station while the arrested suspects have been handed over to DSS for further investigation.

    Otu also denied reports that the troops destroyed and looted properties, saying “the troops deployed to Kokori are fed three times daily and their operation allowance paid at the end of every month and that the daily operation in Kokori is closely supervised by five officers; discipline is maintained as one is oblivious of the possible fallout in an operation of this nature.”