By Ola Kay
There are palpable fears in Diobu axis of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, following an onslaught by gunmen suspected to be cultists on Saturday night, which resulted in the death of a member of community vigilante at Obidanso Waterfront, Mile 1 Diobu.
The Pinnacle Times gathered that members of the vigilante group in company of Police acting on a tip off stormed the waterfront at about 9 pm on Saturday where suspected cultists were planning to launch an attack in an ongoing war between rival Deygbam cult groups.
A source informed that the suspected cultists, on sighting the security operatives opened fire from where gunshots hit a vigilante member identified as Orukwo who lost his life from the confrontation.
But, a visit to the family house of the dead vigilante member at Ekwulobia Street Mile 3 Diobu saw hordes of sympathizers who were seen mourning the untimely demise of a young man.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe Koko stated that investigation is currently ongoing to arrest the perpetrators in connection with the killing of Uche Orukwo.
In a related development, gunmen suspected to be cultists shot dead one ‘Umo, said to be an ex-vigilante member in an incident which occurred at about 11:10 pm on Saturday night at Kaduna Street in D-line, Port Harcourt.
Umo who was allegedly unravel as a member of a yet to be identified cult group before he was sacked from the vigilante group (to which he belonged in the area) over criminal activities.
A source alleged that a rival cult group may have been responsible for the killing of Umo.
But, while confirming the killing of Umo, the PPRO of the state police command said the deceased was a “notorious criminal.”
Police Command Warns Rivers Political Actors over Sentiments
Meanwhile, in a fresh statement issued on Sunday over the political crisis in the state, the state Police Command said that it is fully aware of the numerous political statements and sentiments that have been making rounds.
The statement declared that, “In light of these developments, we would like to inform the general public and the esteemed people of Rivers State of the following: i. The Nigeria Police Force is the statutory and constitutional authority entrusted with the responsibilities of enforcing laws and orders, as well as protecting lives and properties, among others.
” ii. The Rivers State Police Command, as an integral part of the Nigeria Police Force, is firmly committed to upholding and enforcing all laws and orders within the state.
“iii. The Command will not stand idle and allow any individual or group to disrupt the existing peace in the state under any guise or pretext.
“iv. The Rivers State Police Command will not hesitate to take decisive action against any person or group of persons found to be in violation of the laws and orders of the state.Therefore, we implore members of the public to maintain peace and abide by the laws of the land. To those involved in the ongoing political unrest, we urge you to seek peaceful/lawful means to address your grievances.”
The command assured that it would remain neutral and apolitical in all matters regarding the current political impasse.
.
About The Author
