From Obinna Nwaoku
Tragedy yesterday struck in the Odhiaje community, Ahoada East Local Council of Rivers State, when suspected cultists allegedly loyal to the late cult leader, David Gift a.k.a 2Baba, killed a former youth leader, Godspower Uwhetu.
The incident occurred on Wednesday morning, with eyewitnesses reporting that about five cultists, led by a man named Sam, invaded Uwhetu’s house at about l:00a.m., dragged him out, and shot him in front of his house.
According to the former Public Relations Officer of Igbu Akoh Youth Congress, Hector Chinem Ekeakita, the motive behind the murder dates back to a previous altercation between Uwhetu and Sam’s mother.
The altercation led to Uwhetu going into hiding, but the cultists eventually tracked him down. It was learnt that Uwhetu had predicted his demise, telling friends that if anything happened to him, Sam should be held responsible.
The Odhiaje community is now gripped with fear, with residents reporting frequent gunshots and vandalism in nearby areas. Ekeakita noted that properties were damaged and solar lights vandalised in the Odieke-Akoh community last week.
He is calling on the authorities to take immediate action to prevent further bloodshed. He explained: “This morning, we woke up to hear that a former youth leader of Odhiaje by the name of Godspower Uwhetu was killed by one Sam.
“Earlier before the incident, mother of Sam held Uwhetu on his clothe, accusing him (Uwhetu) of calling soldiers to raid the house of his Son (Sam), that his son is innocent.”
“Since that day, Uwhetu has been on the run. Uwhetu also told his friends that if anything happened to him, Sam should be held responsible.
“Only for us to wake up this morning and notice that Uwhetu has been murdered. This same Sam is one of 2Baba’s loyalists, who escaped death when security agency attacked their base.
“There are still daily gunshot news around Igbu Akoh kingdom. Last week in the Odieke-Akoh community, some peoples’ property was vandalised, including solar lights. We are calling on the Sole Administrator and also the Police, Air force, and the Army residing in Ahoada to swing into action before it gets out of hand.
“So, we are calling on security agencies network in Ahoada to fish out the boys who do not want to give peace a chance in Ekpeye land,” Mr Ekeakita said.
When contacted, spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe Koko, said investigation is ongoing to fish out the culprits.
