31st May, 2023
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Rampaging gunmen suspected to be cultists killed a total of six people in Ahoada West and Ahoada East local government areas of Rivers State between Tuesday and early Wednesday morning.
It was gathered that the gunmen killed one person in Abarikpo community in Ahoada East Local Government Area early Wednesday May 31, and five people at Odiereke-Ubie community Ahoada West Local Government Area on Tuesday.
However, police said the cultists embarked on the killing spree because of the inability of the communities to pay them N1.5 million “settlement” levy.
The two local government areas were inhabited by people of Ekpeye ethnic nationality.
Ekeakita Hector Chinem, public relations Officer of Akoh Youth Congress in Akoh kingdom, Ahoada East LGA, confirmed the killings to PM NEWS in a telephone interview.
He said, “Ahoada East in Abarikpo community at about five minutes after 4:00, early this morning some group of cult boys who reside at neigbouring community, came to Abarikpo community and went in search of about three persons .
“Unluckily, one Aburi Dickson Edi was found in his house sleeping. They barged into his house, shoot him in his stomach and fled on their bikes to their hideout.
“Secondly, in Odiereke Ubie community, ward 9 Ahoada West LGA, precisely, five youths were killed yesterday (Tuesday) because the community refused to pay one million naira to the hoodlums who were living inside the bush.
“This community don’t have money, none of their elite is available at home, the people at home don’t have money.
“The five young persons just returned from their farms and they meet their sudden death.They (the cultists) came in three bikes, killed them and left.
The Akoh kingdom PRO described as mischievous statements credited to some chiefs that there is no insecurity in the two local area.
Contrary to such claims, he disclosed that killings are recorded on weekly basis in Ekpeye land.
he therefore called on the state Commissioner of Police, CP Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka to deploy police personnel to the area so that the culprits can be brought to book.
Chinem said the hideouts of the hoodlums carrying out the killings are known, but security operatives have refused to go after them.
When contacted the spokesperson for the command, SP Grace Iringe Koko confirmed the incident.
She said six persons were killed by suspected cultists over refusal of the community to pay 1.5 million naira to the suspected cultists.
She also confirmed the killing at Abarikpo community.