Three youths were reportedly shot dead while five others sustained serious injuries during the annual traditional festival in Eku community, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State.
The incident occurred on Monday night, throwing the community into tension as pictures and videos purportedly showing the aftermath circulated online from about 8:30pm.
Sources in the Urhobo community said the shooting was allegedly linked to a supremacy dispute between rival groups competing for territorial influence in the area.
However, the claims could not be independently verified, including whether the victims belonged to any of the groups or if the incident was connected to a cult-related dispute.
According to eyewitnesses, the community had been in a festive mood, with residents gathered at drinking spots around Osuere, regarded as the geographical centre of the town before its expansion.
Trouble reportedly started after one of those at the gathering received a phone call informing him that a member of his group had allegedly been shot at another location.
Sources said the man reportedly rushed to his vehicle, brought out a pump-action rifle and opened fire at three youths at different locations without first verifying the information.
One of the deceased was also reportedly found with a cutlass wound to the neck.
Apart from the shooting victims, about five other people were said to have sustained deep cutlass injuries during the festival and were taken to different hospitals within the local government area.
A resident, Kenneth, explained that the use of cutlasses formed part of the traditional celebrations, with participants often dancing with them during the festival.
He said disagreements or confrontations involving the use of the cutlasses could, however, result in serious injuries.
“We dance with cutlasses during the festival and sometimes use them on ourselves.
“If you cut someone with a cutlass and the injury is serious, the person may retaliate. That was how some people sustained injuries and were taken to hospital,” he said.
The community was reportedly calm as of press time, although some youths were said to have temporarily left the area before the arrival of security personnel.
A source said some residents may have fled out of fear of being arrested, stressing that their departure did not necessarily mean they were involved in the incident.
Security operatives subsequently moved into the community to restore order and prevent a possible escalation of violence following the killings.
