Three Dead, Five Injured as Festival Turns Bloody in Delta

Three youths were killed and five others injured during the annual traditional festival in Eku community, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State.

The incident occurred on Monday night, triggering tension as pictures and videos purportedly showing the aftermath circulated online from about 8:30pm.

Sources within the Urhobo community linked the violence to an alleged supremacy dispute between rival groups competing for territorial influence.

However, it remained unclear whether the victims belonged to any group or whether the incident had any connection with a cult-related dispute.

Eyewitnesses said residents were still celebrating when the violence erupted around Osuere, regarded as the geographical centre of the town before its expansion.

According to the witnesses, an alarming phone call reportedly triggered the shooting.

One of those gathered at a drinking spot allegedly received information that a member of his group had been shot elsewhere in the community.

The source claimed the man immediately rushed to his vehicle, brought out a pump-action rifle and opened fire at three youths at different locations.

The account could not be independently verified.

Sources also claimed that one of the deceased later sustained a cutlass injury to the neck.

Meanwhile, about five other people reportedly suffered deep cutlass wounds during the festival and received treatment at different hospitals in the local government area.

A resident, identified as Kenneth, said cutlasses form part of the traditional festival activities.

He explained that disagreements during the celebrations could sometimes lead to injuries.

“We dance with cutlasses during the festival and sometimes use them on ourselves,” he said.

Kenneth added that serious injuries could trigger retaliation and further violence.

“That was how some people sustained injuries and were taken to hospital,” he said.

The community remained calm as of press time, although some youths reportedly left the area temporarily after the incident.

A source said some residents might have fled out of fear of being caught up in possible arrests.

The source stressed that leaving the community did not necessarily mean those residents had links to the violence.

Security operatives moved into the community after receiving reports of the killings.

Their deployment was aimed at restoring calm and preventing further violence.