By Emma Amaize

WARRI- THE leadership crisis at oil-rich Odimodi community, Burutu Local Government Area, Delta ‎ State, degenerated, weekend, with thugs belonging to one of the factions razing several houses in the town. 

There was panic in the community yesterday as the thugs continued with the attack and destruction of property. 

Many of the villagers scampered into the bush, while the traditional head of the community was allegedly whisked into hiding following threat to his life.

Vanguard that trouble escalated after the community. Recently disclaimed some  leaders of the community, who took umbrage and supposedly mobilized thugs ‎to intimidate their identified opponents. 

A villager, who spoke to Van‎guard, yesterday, called on the state government to mobilize soldiers to counter the thugs, as naval personnel that were contacted refused to intervene.

He said, “The community has disowned them, even if they bring all the militants in the world to kill us, we will not accept their leadership, the state government should intervene.”

Special ‎Assistant, Youth and Community Development to the Delta State Governor, Mr Eric Omare, in a statement, condemned the unnecessary destruction of properties and called on the warring factions to sheath their sword and give peace a chance. 

“War is not a solution to the internal leadership crisis and they should give opportunity to resolve the issues,” he said.