Gunmen Shoot Ijaw Youth Leader

Barely three days after the killing of a Lecturer with Rivers State College of Arts and Science in Yeghe, in Ogoniland, Clement Keemte Faah, the President of Ijaw National Congress,INC, Dr. Atuboyedia Obinime, a lecturer with University of Port Harcourt, narrowly escaped death when unidentified gunmen shot him on the thigh. His attackers attempted to either kidnap him or snatch his car at about 8.10 pm last night.

According to eyewitness account, in attempt by the assailants to either kidnap or rob the INC President, there was an ensuing struggle which led to the gun shot on the thigh.

A distress call was made to the police and a patrol team arrived in good time to foil the attempt on the life of the INC President.

Confirming the incident, the Rivers Police PPRO, Mrs Rita Innoma-Abbey said: “Dr Obinime was immediately rushed to the hospital and he is responding to treatment.”

She further said that the “hoodlums were pursued, but fled into the market area, but no shot was fired, which saved innocent lives. However, the hot chase by the police team forced them to abandon their two Ak 47 rifles numbers 28926 and 14442, two magazines 21 live ammunition”.

She said police have commenced investigations on the incident.

It was, however, learnt the President of the umbrella body of all the Ijaw in Nigeria and in Diaspora was scheduled to preside over the annual INC conference in Yenagao, Bayelsa State capital tomorrow.

—Okafor Ofiebor/ Port Harcourt