In a tragic incident, a 45-year-old police inspector, Festus Onori, met a violent end at the hands of a mob, believed to be Fulani Okada riders, in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The horrifying episode unfolded on a Sunday as Inspector Onori and his family were en route to church. On their way, a commercial motorcyclist, purportedly of Fulani descent, collided with their vehicle in Okpanam. Onori, being a responsible citizen, parked his vehicle a short distance from the accident site to check on the well-being of the Okada rider and his passenger.
However, the situation took a sinister turn when more than 20 men armed with sticks and clubs began pursuing Onori. Fearing for his life, he retreated to his vehicle and attempted to drive away. The Okada riders relentlessly chased him, their numbers increasing as the chase continued.
The pursuit extended all the way to the Ogwashi-Uku Community, even reaching Kwale. Tragically, Onori’s vehicle ran out of fuel on the Ogwashi-Uku-Kwale expressway. It was at this point that his pursuers caught up to him and subjected him to a brutal mob attack, ultimately leading to his death. The incident occurred in front of his wife and three children, who were also present in the vehicle.
The mob also vandalized Onori’s vehicle, further escalating the violence. A passing Good Samaritan, as recounted by Onori’s wife, took the Inspector to the Ogwashi-Uku police station, where he was declared dead.
Austin, the deceased’s elder brother, revealed that Inspector Onori was stationed at the Marine Police Station Cable Point in Asaba.
Notably, the Okada rider and his passenger involved in the initial accident did not sustain injuries, which raises questions about the disproportionate and deadly response that followed.
As of now, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Delta State Command, DSP Bright Edafe, has not received official information regarding the incident and refrained from making any comments at this time.