Gunmen Kill Six in Rivers Communities

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Gunmen suspected to be cultists have killed six residents of Abarikpo, in Ahoada East and Odiereke-Ubie community in Ahoada West Local Government Areas of Rivers State.

THISDAY gathered that one person was killed yesterday at Abarikpo community, while five persons were killed in Odiereke-Ubie community on Tuesday.

A community youth leader from the area, Hector Chinem, who spoke to journalists on the incident said: “At about 4.00am,(Wednesday) some group of cult boys who reside at neighbouring community, came to Abarikpo community in search of about three persons.

“Unluckily, one Aburi Dickson Edi was found in his house sleeping. They batched into his house, shot him in his stomach and burst his intestine opened. After which they took bike down to their hideout.

“Secondly, in Odiereke Ubie community, ward 9 Ahoada West LGA, precisely, five youths were killed yesterday (Tuesday) because the community refused paying N1million to the hoodlums living inside the bush.

“This  community don’t have money. None of their elite is available at home, the people at home do not have money. These five youths returned from farm after harvesting crops, just for them to meet their sudden death. They  came with three bikes, killed them and left without quarreling”.

Chinem however, described as mischievous statement credited to some Chiefs in Ekpeye ethnic Nationality in Ahoada East and West LGAs that there is no insecurity in the area.

He said the chiefs are saying so just to gain favour from the public and their followers who are allegedly enjoying the killings. He disclosed that killings are recorded on weekly and monthly basis in Ekpeye land.

Chinem wondered why the security agencies are pampering the hoodlums even when their hideout is known.

The state Police spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the incident, said six persons died in the attack by the hoodlums in the two communities.

Iringe-Koko said the natives were killed over refusal of the community to pay N1.5million to the suspected cultists.

In a similar development, four persons were killed in Rundele community, Emohua Local Government area of Rivers State.

It was gathered that the hoodlums beheaded two members of a local vigilance group in the community, Rundele Security and Peace Advisory Council (RUSPAC), simply identified as Endurance and Aboy, and killed his biological brother, Onyema.

The hoodlums, THISDAY learnt, also killed a member of Emohua Local Vigilance Security Services (EMOVIS) who hails from Emohua Community.

A community source, who pleaded anonymity, told THISDAY that the victims were taken unawares as they were allegedly attacked during their sleeping hours in their houses.

He disclosed that the hoodlums killed and abandoned the RUSPAC members’ bodies, while their decapitated heads were displayed at the “Station” area in community.

The Paramount Ruler of the community, HRH, Eze Damian Ejiowhuo, confirmed the incident but declined further comment on it.