Gunmen kill, burn 90-year-old man in Rivers

• Family of four killed in fresh Plateau attack
Gunmen struck in Egbeda community, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, killing a nonagenarian, with his body and house set ablaze by the hoodlums. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday night, has caused pandemonium in the area as some residents have fled due to fear.The 90-year-old man, identified as Elder Assor Woke, was said to be alone in his house when the hoodlums struck and his house was set ablaze by the killers while he was inside.

Spokesman of the state police command, Nnamdi Omoni, who confirmed the incident to The Guardian, attributed the incident to rival gang clash.He said: “It was a cult clash between the Icelanders and Deegbam. The Icelanders gang came to the area for reprisal attack and while they were unleashing mayhem, they set a house where the nonagenarian was living on fire.”

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), however, noted that police officers have been deployed to the community to maintain peace, adding that normalcy has since returned to the area. The PPRO added that investigation has commenced, vowing that the perpetrators would be arrested soon and brought to book.

The Guardian gathered that the victim, Woke, was the oldest person in the community and that he had always stood for peace. A community source who does not want his name in print, said the ugly incident that led to the sudden death of Woke has weakened the Chiefs, elders, women and youths of the area.Also confirming the development, the Community Development Committee (CDC) chairman of Egbeda, Mr. Ukwoha Omereji, described the incident as worrisome. Ukwoha noted that all stakeholders in the community are working together to ensure that peace returns to the troubled Egbeda.

He disclosed that the Chief of Staff to the Rivers State governor, Mr. Emeka Woke, and the chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Tom Aliezi, have summoned a meeting of leaders of the community to ensure lasting peace in the area.

Meanwhile, unknown gunmen struck again in Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau State, killing four members of the same family in a pre-dawn attack. The four persons include a pastor of Church of Christ in Nation (COCIN) LCC Abonong, Foron in Barkin Ladi, Rev. Adamu Gyang Wurim, alongside his wife and three children.

The victims were said to have been burnt alive by the unknown gunmen. One church was also razed by the attackers. An eyewitness, Mr. Isaac Choji, said the gunmen surrounded the house, set it ablaze and waited to ensure no one came out of the burning house.

A female neighbour was also shot by the attackers when she mistakenly ran into them. It was gathered that the pastor and members of his family have been buried in a grave by the church. The attack has caused panic in the village as the villagers now live in fear while appealing to security agencies to come to their aid and defend them against the gunmen.
Media Officer of OPSH, Major Umar Adam said the command is working to get the details of the attack. He, however, appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with the security agencies to unveil the truth of the attack.