By Wilson Adekumola
At least six people were reportedly killed in two communities located in Ahoada East and West Local Councils of Rivers State, by gunmen suspected to be cultist.
According to the Guardian, the Public Relations Officer of Akoh Youth Congress in Akoh Kingdom, Ekeakita Hector Chinem, on Wednesday, said that in Ahoada East, particularly in the Abarikpo community, some group of armed cultists, suspected to be residing in a nearby community, stormed at about 4: 05a.m., in search of three persons earmarked for execution.
It was learnt that one person was killed in Abarikpo community, Ahoada East council, in the early morning of Wednesday, while five people were killed in Odiereke-Ubie community in Ahoada West Local Council on Tuesday.
He said, “Unluckily, one Aburi Dickson Edi was found in his house sleeping. They barged into his house, shot him in his stomach and his intestine opened. They eventually took a motorcycle down to their hideout.
“Similarly, in Odiereke Ubie community, Ward 9 in Ahoada West council, five youths were killed on Tuesday, because the community refused to pay N1 million to the hoodlums living inside the bush.
“The community does not have money, none of their elites are available at home, and the people at home do not have money.
“When the five youths returned from farm harvesting, the cultists came with three bikes, killed them, and left without hindrance.”
Chinem condemned the statement of some Chiefs in Ekpeye Ethnic Nationality in Ahoada East and West Local Councils, denying that there is no insecurity in the area, adding killings are committed on a weekly and monthly basis in Ekpeye land.
He then called on the Rivers State Police Commissioner, CP Nwonyi Emeka to ensure he fish out the perpetrators and made them face the wrath of law.
He stressed that the hideouts of the hoodlums are known, wondering why security agencies are yet to catch them.
Contacted, the command’s Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, while confirming the incident, she revealed that six persons were killed by suspected cultists in Odiereke Ubie community Ahoada West while collecting palm fronts.
She also confirmed the killings at Abarikpo community, adding that efforts are ongoing to arrest the hoodlums.
