Police restore peace in rivers community invaded by gunmen

The Rivers State Police Command has stated that peace has been restored to Bodo community in Gokana Council of the state following an alleged invasion of the community by gunmen in Military uniform on Wednesday.

Spokesperson of the Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the state Commissioner of Police, Okon Effiong, has dispatched a tactical unit to restore peace in the community adding that peace has been restored.

It was gathered that members of Bodo Community were on fled their homes to safety after some gunmen suspected to be soldiers invaded their community in the early hours of Wednesday and whisked away some persons to an unknown destination.

According to a source who said the community had been at loggerheads following the issues that broke out after oil spill incidents that happened earlier this year.

The source said the fracas led to the dethronement of the king and reshufflement of the leadership structure of the community.

The source stated that the gunmen in military camouflage showed up at the Regent’s residence, Chief Pius Menegha, meeting his absence, brutally beat his wife and carried about 25 people amidst sporadic shooting in the air for several hours.

The community, however, called on the state Governor to wield into the issue as they urged the commissioner of Police to order a probe into the lingering crisis in the community.

A member of the community, who is the leader of the intercessory group, Bariaala Ngo, said “We the people of Bodo City are calling on the commissioner of police in Rivers state, Okon Effiong Okon to investigate some men dressed in military camouflage to Bodo community on Wednesday 16/11/2022 by 1:30amand inflicted massive brutality and arrested over 20 people in the community of which the unknown gunmen in military uniform also broke and invaded the Regent house and a dynasty head with sporadic gunshots.

“Among those arrested was Chief. Pius Menegha Whose wife was thoroughly beaten and harassed and our regent is yet to be found since after the insurgence occurred.”