Not less than two persons were reportedly killed and tens of houses burnt in Effurun-Otor community, Ughelli South council area of Delta state on Sunday following a suspected armed cattle herders’ attack.

But the Delta state police command, in a telephone chat on Sunday evening, debunked the report of casualties, adding that the situation in the community had been brought under control and that investigations were already ongoing.

Meanwhile, community sources told The Nation that two people had been confirmed dead, many houses burnt and that the traditional ruler of the community; the Orovworereof Effurun-Otor Kingdom, HRM King Duku II, escaped death by the whiskers when the invading herdsmen stormed his palace.

Although the cause of the herdsmen attack could not be confirmed on Sunday evening, it was gathered that the invaders stormed the community with assorted dangerous shooting sporadically and unchallenged.

Meanwhile, when reached for confirmation and comments, the spokesman of the Delta state police command, Mr Andrew Aniamaka (DSP), said there was an incident in the community, but could not confirm any death or the identity of the attackers.

He, however, said the situation in the community had been kept under control, adding that all concerned stakeholders had been engaged in serious activities to ensure that there would not be a repeat of the unrest.

“I’m not aware of any death and I know it’s a crisis having to do with vigilante, not herders and farmers clash. Suffice it to say that the matter has been brought under control by the police.

“The Ughelli Area Commander, DPO Otu-Jeremi and the king of the community have sat down on the matter and have ensured that things are now under control,” Aniamaka said.

•Sourced from The Nation report