Fear has enveloped Tuomo community in Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, following the reported kidnap of the Traditional Prime Minister of the community and 25 others by suspected gunmen on Monday, August 16.
Trouble started brewing after a Magistrate Court sacked the community Chairman, Mr Binebai Tomke from office. A source said that during election organized to replace the chairman, gunmem invaded the venue and whisked away the Traditional Prime Minister, Chief Mike Loyibo and 25 others.
Sources said several other persons were injured in the fracas which broke out around 1pm Monday, and that the whereabouts of the Traditional Prime Minister and the 25 other indigenes of the community were still on unknown.
According to the sources, police officers attached to the Traditional Prime Minister, Chief Mike Loyibo, took cover, following heavy fireworks from the suspected gunmen.
One of the sources said: “the Magistrate Court at Okpokunou Community passed a judgement on the 19th of last month that disqualified Mr Binebai Tomke from office because he’s not lettered.
“The Judge went ahead to say that the community leadership should conduct another election for the two candidates who earlier contested with him.
“At the election ground, yesterday, the former chairman came with thugs brandishing machetes and other dangerous weapons to disrupt the process. They also attacked officers, including Chief Mike Loyibo.
“The former chairman even went to the community radio house and announced that nobody can remove him from office”.
It was gathered that security operatives have been dispatched to comb the area with a view to rescuing Chief Mike Loyibo and the other people that were whisked away.