More than a dozen persons are feared dead following deadly attacks by unknown gunmen in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Locals say about 8 persons were killed in Obirikom community, 5 others in Omoku town with one female also gunned-down in Ogbogwu community by the rampaging gunmen.
The cause of the senseless killing is still unknown.
A native, Joseph Benneth said the gunmen attacked Ogbogwu community yesterday throwing the community into tension.
Benneth said, “I saw a dead body on the morning of Wednesday; I noticed a bullet cartridge near the corpse. It was a girl. I don’t know why they should kill a woman. The unknown hoodlums are nowhere to be found.”
When contacted, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Augustine Ahiamadu confirmed the attacks saying all the incidents started last weekend.
Ahiamadu said the renewed attacks were indications that the peace and reconciliation process in the area had collapsed.
He also blamed the killings on the politicians who he accused of arming the youths during the 2015 general elections.
He added that the youths were using the weapons that cannot be retrieved.
He called on Rivers State Government and Security agencies to come to
their rescue.
their rescue.
“As a council Chairman, you are the Chief Security Officer, we have related with the security operatives to do their jobs properly. We have been shouting to the state and federal governments to come to our aid.
“Killing is a recurrent thing in Rivers state but ONELGA has been a flashpoint. That is why I’m saying that the killings are traced back to political issues. The guns are there because those that bought the guns are now unable to retrieve them; so the boys are doing what they know. Nobody is safe here anymore. By 6pm, everyone has gone in. It looks like a grave yard.
“I am appealing to the state and federal governments to re-double their efforts. We are also calling on MOPOL 48 to be proactive in stopping this menace,” the LGA Chairman said.
In the meantime, the State Police Command is yet to comment on the incident at the time of this report.
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