Gunmen, suspected to be cultists, have killed six people in two communities located in Ahoada East and West Local Councils of Rivers State.
According to reports, one person was killed in Abarikpo community, Ahoada East council, in the early morning of Wednesday, while five people were killed in Odiereke-Ubie community in Ahoada West Local Council on Tuesday.
Public Relations Officer of Akoh Youth Congress in Akoh Kingdom, Ekeakita Hector Chinem, said that in Ahoada East, particularly in the Abarikpo community, some group of armed cultists, suspected to be residing in a nearby community, stormed at about 4: 05a.m., in search of three persons earmarked for execution.
He said: “Unluckily, one Aburi Dickson Edi was found in his house sleeping. They barged into his house, shot him in his stomach and his intestine opened. They eventually took a motorcycle down to their hideout.
“Similarly, in Odiereke Ubie community, Ward 9 in Ahoada West council, five youths were killed on Tuesday, because the community refused to pay N1 million to the hoodlums living inside the bush.
“The community does not have money, none of their elites are available at home, and the people at home do not have money.
“When the five youths returned from farm harvesting, the cultists came with three bikes, killed them, and left without hindrance.”
Chinem described as mischievous the statement credited to some Chiefs in Ekpeye Ethnic Nationality in Ahoada East and West Local Councils, refuting that there is no insecurity in the area.
According to him, killings are committed on a weekly and monthly basis in Ekpeye land.
He, however, called on the Rivers State Police Commissioner (CP) Nwonyi Emeka to ensure that the culprits are brought to book .
He stressed that the hideouts of the hoodlums are known, wondering why security agencies are yet to catch them.
When contacted, spokesperson for the Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed that six persons were killed by suspected cultists in Odiereke Ubie community Ahoada West while collecting palm fronts.
She also confirmed the killings at Abarikpo community, adding that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the hoodlums.
