By Ola Kay
The spate of violent crimes and killings have suggested that cult rivals may be regrouping in some parts of Rivers State, following unabated political crisis in the state, one of which resulted in the death of a victim identified as Endwell Awunze, who was shot dead by persons suspected to be cultists, along Ula-Pata, in Ahoada town, Ahoada local government area of the state.
The Pinnacle Times gathered that, the deceased Mr. Awunze, suspected to be a whistleblower against cultists and other violent crimes in Okporowo community in Ahoada East LGA may have been on the trail of the gang before his untimely death at the hands of his assailants who shot him dead on Tuesday night, June 18,2024
A source revealed that Mr. Awunze left the venue of protest )occasion by the removal of local government Chairmen in the state) opposite Ahoada East Council Secretariat, where irate youths were protesting against tenure elongation of Local Government Chairman and boarded a motorcycle at about 7pm.
The source disclosed that as the Motorbike was plying the road along Ula-Pata road, three gunmen who had already laid ambush opened fire on the victim who reportedly died on the spot, while the rider of the motorbike sustained gunshot injuries was rushed to an undisclosed hospital where he is currently receiving treatment.
As at 7am on Wednesday ( today), the corpse of Mr. Awunze was still at the scene of crime.
Mr. Awunze until his death, was an oil pipeline surveillance worker with a company.
In the meantime, the Centre for Basic Rights Protection And Accountability Campaign, a human rights organization has expressed worries over the negative trends political crisis may instigate in Rivers State.
The National Coordinator of the organization, Comrade Prince Wiro, in reaction to the incident in Ahoada said that “I am worried that cultists and other criminal elements may take advantage of the chaotic situation in the state to begin to perpetrate evil.
“I urge the Political gladiators in the state to carry out their activities within the confines of the law as we hear that some mischievous politicians are recruiting all manners of violent personalities to achieve their aim.
“I equally call on the Police and other relevant security agencies in the state to double their efforts to arrest security challenges that could arise as a result of the political crisis”.
The Rivers State Police Command had yet to officially respond to the incident as at the time of filing this report.
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