Panic As Delta Anti-Cult Volunteer Is Shot Dead At Burial Rites

Israel Iruaga, a member of the Anti-cult Volunteers Group in Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, has been killed.

He died following gunshot injuries sustained from an accidental discharge at a procession marking the burial rites of their late commandant.

The local commandant, Ufuoma Oghenede, reportedly died on Monday while the candle light service was held for him on Wednesday. 

However, sources said that an accidental discharge hit Israel during the farewell parade for the deceased commandant on Wednesday and he (Israel) was instantly rushed to a hospital in Abraka for medical attention.

It was gathered that as his case got worsened after an x-ray result from the Government Hospital, Eku, showed that his condition was critical, he was referred to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, where he eventually gave up the ghost on Saturday morning.

Confirming the death to journalists, a family member who would not want his name in print said that the deceased who was in his late 20s was hit by the accidental discharge “around the stomach or waist”.

He said, “The bullet hit him somewhere around the stomach or waist. The family however is yet to take any decision since the news is just reaching them.

“No feedback, no eye witness report. They thought it was a minor issue, not knowing some of his major organs had been destroyed by the bullets.

“The deceased is a single, struggling young man without a wife or children.”

Meanwhile, the corpse of the deceased was said to have been removed from the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba and deposited in a morgue in the Abraka community, awaiting burial by the family.

The Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State Command, DSP Bright Edafe, could not be reached for comments on the incident as of the time of filing this report.