The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the death of two persons as rival youth groups clashed in Ekpan community, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state during the Yuletide celebration.
But local sources claimed that the casualty figure could not be fewer than five in gory incident which reportedly occurred in the community on Christmas eve.
According to the sources, many victims sustained varied degrees of injuries in the clash and were rushed unconscious to the Central Hospital, Warri, for treatment.
One of the sources who pleaded anonymity said, “The clash between the rival youth groups claimed five lives in the Ekpan area late in the night on Saturday, December 24, 2022.
“The cause of the clash was not immediately known. But it was gathered that both groups belonged to two different youth leadership in Ekpan community.
“Reports have it that five residents lost their lives in the shootout. One of the victims is a petty trader who sold wares to the youths who were celebrating Christmas eve at an all-night party”.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State Command, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident.
The PPRO told journalists on Sunday night that only two persons were confirmed dead in the incident.