Tension has gripped the oil-rich Obodougwa-Ogume community in Delta State following the gruesome murder of a prominent community leader, according to reports from VANGUARD.
Anselm Oyibo, the former Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC) in Obodougwa-Ogume, was reportedly macheted to death and set ablaze by unknown assailants on Monday.
His charred remains were found alongside his motorcycle at the Obodougwa Ogume junction along the Kwale-Obiaruku Road.
Speaking to reporters, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Command, Mr. Bright Edafe, confirmed the tragic incident, which has sent shockwaves through the community.
According to dependable sources, the deceased left his residence in Kwale around 11:30 pm on Sunday after receiving a phone call.
He never returned home, and his fate remained unknown until the discovery of his gruesome murder the next day.
"He suddenly woke up from his bed just before midnight and said he was going out. When he was asked where he was going at that time of the night, he said 'I am coming, I am coming,'" a source in the community recounted.
The source added that Oyibo started his motorcycle and began answering a phone call before leaving his residence.
His second wife, whom he was suspected to be visiting, later confirmed that he did not spend the night at her place.
"His phone was called, it rang for sometime and after a while it was no longer connecting. Later, information came that someone was killed in our junction and was burnt with his motorcycle," the source said.
While the motive for the killing is yet to be ascertained, the incident has been linked to the protracted leadership tussle that has engulfed the Obodougwa-Ogume community in recent times.
This crisis had previously led to the burning of 16 houses in the area two months ago.
The Delta State Police Command has assured that it has launched a full-scale investigation into the incident, promising to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.