° No cause for alarm ,it is internal crisis – Police
There was pandemonium in Urhobo community, Ughelli, Ughelli-North local Government Area of Delta state, as gunmen at the early hours of Friday, attacked a mosque .
Eleven worshipers were allegedly shot by the gunmen while three victims were abducted by the yet-be indentified gunmen.
The attack has jostled the entire state , fuelling speculations that unknown Gunmen might have infiltrated the state.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN), a resident told the agency on phone that the gunmen unleashed terror on the worshipers at about 6.47 am, when some Muslim faithfuls were holding their morning prayers at the Central Mosque, located along Okoroda street in Ughelli.
The resident , Larry, said many residents were jolted from their sleep by gunshots followed by loud cries from people inside the mosque.
“My name is Larry, I am a commercial vehicle driver here in Ughelli. I live very close to the central mosque, so this morning at about 6.45 am we heard a shooting at the mosque.
According to another resident, Baba:” Gunmen have entered the community. We are afraid. If the gunmen should attack a Mosque, their next target will be Churches. The Police and other sister agencies, should step up manhunt for the gunmen to fish them out before the peaceful state will turn into a State of blood “.
However, the police have debunked the rumours making the rounds that three persons were abducted by the Gunmen.
Delta State Police Publlic Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bright Edafe , confirmed the attack on worshipers in the Central Mosque, but said that only 11 worshipers were injured, but nobody was abducted.
” There are no unknown Gunmen in Delta. The attack was due to internal crisis in the area, but Commissioner of Police have charged the traditional rulers and religious leaders in the community to resolve the crisis . More so, the police are working very hard to apprehend the attackers of the Mosque. People should not panic”.
