A Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate has warned unknown gunmen to stay away from Delta, declaring that the state is not IPOB “territory”.

Frank Esenwah, PDP candidate for Oshimili North constituency in the 2023 elections, also lauded the police for their bravery.

Mr Esenwah said he was pleased to hear that the police were able to kill one of the gunmen.

“We were informed that some criminal gang tried to terrorise this community but we thank God that the police were able to live up to their billing and one of them was killed while two escaped with bullet wounds,” he stated. “We have come in solidarity to rejoice with the police authorities and to congratulate them for their bravery.”

The PDP candidate added, “Going forward as leaders from this community, we will see what we can do to support the law enforcement agencies to ensure that this kind of attack doesn’t happen again. We need to sound a note of warning to them that this is not an IPOB territory and they should keep off this community and the entire state.” 

Meanwhile, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s chief press secretary Olisa Ifeajika has lauded the police for repelling the Monday morning attack by the gunmen on Illah community.

Mr Ifeajika gave the commendation during a solidarity visit to Bolarinwa Alabi, the divisional police officer (DPO) of Illah in Oshimili North local government.

He said policemen in the community demonstrated bravery by confronting the gunmen and killing one of them as the others escaped with bullet wounds.

According to Mr Ifeajika, the officers of the division displayed the true spirit of policing. 

“I pray that such attitude should live on among policemen in all formations,” said Mr Okowa’s spokesman.

(NAN)