Gunmen kill three, kidnap two in Rivers community
Gunmen, suspected to be cultists, have invaded the Ubeta community in Ahoada West Local Council of Rivers State and killed three persons.
The gunmen, according to sources, had earlier struck two days before, taking two shop owners to an unknown destination.
The source said the shop owners, one identified as Chimezie Nagbo and one other whose name is yet to be known, were kidnapped in the community on Monday and no contact has been established to ascertain their whereabouts and safety.
Confirming the incident, the Paramount Ruler of Ubeta Community, Chief Million Jonathan, in a telephone interview, said the deceased were cultists, suggesting a case of reprisal attack.
The Paramount ruler explained that the abducted two shop owners were neighbours and are still in their abductors’ den.
He added that the kidnappers are yet to make contact with the community or family members of their victims.
Jonathan claimed that the incident has been happening for months without government’s intervention, while many indigenes have deserted the community.
He also stated that some of the Youths terrorising and perpetrating the act swore an oath never to indulge in criminality, but they were surprised that some of them (Youth) returned to their old ways.
He, however, stressed that the community is willing to train any of the warring youth in skill acquisition, if the person shuns criminality, while calling on government to come to their aid.
Although the paramount ruler noted that the matter has not been lodged at the council’s police station, he has delegated someone to do so in Port Harcourt.
When contacted, spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Superintendent of Police (SP), Grace Iringe-Koko, said no official report has been made to the Police on the incident , but assured to investigate the development.
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