Tension has intensified in Asaba following a violent attack on the Hausa community at Km 1 Asaba–Benin Expressway, Oshimili South Local Government Area, where armed men on Monday killed three young Hausa men and injured 15 others during a land dispute.
At the burial of the deceased persons at the Asaba Cemetery on Tuesday, leaders of the Abraka Hausa Quarters demanded ₦3 billion compensation from the Delta State Government and called for justice for the victims.
Chairman of the community, Alhaji Auwalu Dalhatu, flanked by other leaders, including Nasiru Dambaba, described the killing as a coordinated assault allegedly carried out by land grabbers. He identified the deceased as Muhammed Multala (unmarried), Kabiru Abdullahi (married), and Yahaya (married)—all in their early twenties.
Narrating the attack, Dalhatu accused one Jerry Nkeweshe and his alleged hired thugs of orchestrating the invasion.“They came to kill all of us.”
According to him, “I saw Jerry Nkeweshe inside one of the cars that dreadful Monday afternoon. His contract killers, led by a man who introduced himself earlier as Fire Muller, blocked our gate and part of the expressway under the pedestrian bridge. They started shooting with pump-action guns, causing a traffic jam for over two hours.”
Dalhatu alleged that despite notifying the police ahead of time and receiving assurances of protection, personnel at B Division Police Station “locked their gate” and refused shelter to fleeing residents.
He added that shops were vandalized and goods carted away, leaving many families devastated.
“They planned to slaughter all 200 of us and demolish our houses,” he said.
“Government must compensate us,” The community insisted on government support for the bereaved families and the injured victims.
Dalhatu said, “Even ₦1 billion per family cannot replace a human life. Mohammed was the only child of his parents, the breadwinner of a poor family in Bauchi. How will his parents survive in this harsh economy?”
He also noted that the injured—some still hospitalized at St. Joseph Hospital, St. Rebecca Hospital, General Hospital Asaba, while others have been taken home for further treatment—require urgent financial assistance.
The Delta State Police Command earlier announced a manhunt for Jerry Nkeweshe and others allegedly involved in the attack.
Police spokesperson Bright Edafe confirmed that investigations were ongoing.
