8th April, 2024
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
The killing of a member of Diobu vigilante group at Obidanso waterfront, Mile 1 Diobu axis of Port Harcourt, Rivers state has resulted into tension in the area.
It was learnt that the vigilante operative was shot dead on the Saturday night when he joined police operatives to raid the waterfront following information that suspected cultists were hibernating there to launch attack on rivals in the ongoing war between two houses of suspected Deygbam Cult groups in the area.
Our source disclosed that the suspected cultists on sighting the security operatives, opened fire and bullets caught the vigilante member, identified as Uche Orukwo and he died.
When our correspondent visited the family house of Orukwo at Ekwulobia street Mile 3 Diobu, sympathizers were seen weeping.
Meanwhile, the Spokesperson for Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe Koko confirmed the killing of Mr Uche Orukwo to our correspodent.
She said investigation is ongoing to apprehend his killers.
In a similar incident, PM NEWS gathered that gunmen suspected to be cultists have also killed one one ‘Umo’ who was an ex-vigilante member.
He was shot dead by members of a suspected rival cult gang at about 11:10pm on Saturday night at Kaduna Street, D-line, Port Harcourt.
It was gathered that the said Umo who was sacked from a vigilante group over criminal activities joined a cult gang.
While Confirming the killing of Umo, SP Koko said the deceased is a known notorious criminal.
Lately, the densely populated Diobu axis of Port Harcourt made up various Waterfronts has been a hotbed for rival cult groups who are fighting for supremacy and and control of the area.