Reuben Izeze, a member of the Delta State House of Assembly representing the Ughelli South Constituency, narrowly escaped death after being attacked by armed robbers on Thursday.
Around 9:00 p.m., a group of about six robbers shot the lawmaker at close range while he was visiting an old friend along Ekpan in Warri.
His aide, Dorume Stephen, was locked in the boot of a car by the assailants, who also took his cellphones.
Izeze, the Chairman of the House Committee on Lands, Survey and Urban Development, is currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed medical facility in Warri, according to our source.
Armed robbers reportedly held the Warri axis of the state hostage on Thursday night, robbing from one area to the next and shooting indiscriminately for hours.
Armed robbers carried out over six operations unchallenged in the area where Izeze was shot, according to an eyewitness.
The source bemoaned the “lack of security presence” in the state’s Warri and Ughelli areas.
“Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s government is doing nothing but collecting security votes,” the source said.
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“There was no government presence before now in terms of security, but a governor is collecting a large sum of money every month as a security vote.
“Dorume Stephen, the lawmaker’s aide, had been locked in the boot and was about to be taken away when he was rescued by police officers. Security must be taken seriously by Okowa’s government in these areas, particularly in the Warri and Ughelli regions of the state. It’s not just about getting votes for security “According to the source.
As soon as the news reached town, Sheriff Oborevwori, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, rushed to the hospital where Izeze was being treated to ensure his colleague received proper medical attention.
He arrived at 11 p.m. on Thursday and left at 1 a.m. on Friday.
Izeze confirmed the story and thanked God for his life when contacted, but he couldn’t say much more because he needed to rest.
Also on Thursday night in Warri, a Warri-based human rights activist, Israel Joe, narrowly escaped being killed when armed men stormed a barbershop where he had gone for a haircut.
The activist described his ordeal as follows: “Tonight, December 23, 2021, I narrowly avoided being shot. Armed robbers in Effurun, Warri, and the surrounding areas have grown in confidence. I stopped by the barbershop after returning from Enugu this evening because home service might not be possible tomorrow, as it is Christmas Eve.
“I had a minor headache and had to leave the house around 8:40 p.m. to go to the pharmacy. A barbershop is located next to a pharmacy not far from JJC before Jakpa junction. Three guys emerged from a Toyota Camry 2.2 pencil light parked behind my car as the pharmacist handed me the drugs.
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“I finished my medication and exited the pharmacy when we heard, “All of you, lie down.” ‘Come on, now, lie down.’ I moved quickly and vanished into the darkness, where I stood helplessly watching from afar.
“They robbed everyone in the barbershop in less than two minutes, but the pharmacist had already turned off the light, making it impossible for them to proceed to the pharmacy. I jumped into my Lexus 350 car, which they intended to rob, and sped away as they drove off towards Jakpa Junction. When I arrived at Effurun Roundabout around 8:55 p.m., I went to the Police DPO, Ekpan division, and told him about my experience and the need to beef up security.”
When contacted, DSP Bright Edafe, the state police public relations officer, said he was unaware of the cases but promised to get back to me once he had more information.
