Renewed cult war claims one in Rivers

• Whereabouts of abducted ex-NBA president, Okey Wali, still unknown

Renew gang war in Diobu, Port Harcourt City Counhcil, Rivers State, got intense on Wednesday night as a suspected gang leader, popularly known as Asari, was gunned down.

Asari, who was in his 20s, was killed about 7.55 p.m., along Ekwe/Ikwere Road in Mile Three, Diobu, Port Harcourt.

His death came a day after gang war claimed three lives within the area.

Spokesperson, Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe Koko, confirmed the killing, yesterday,

Iringe-Koko stated: “It was as a result of cult rivalry and the Commissioner of Police, CP Effiong Okon, has mandated tactical teams and other officers to fish out the perpetrators and sponsors of the cult clash, while investigation is ongoing.”

Godstime Ihunwo, Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Nkpolu Oroworukwo Mile 3, under Diobu vigilante Group, narrated: “About 8 p.m., on Wednesday, we heard two gunshots at Ikwerre Road/Ekwe Street and quickly rushed down to the scene to meet Asari lying dead.

“We immediately approached the Nkpolu Police Station to report the incident. As we were leading the police to the crime scene, we got report that some gunmen came in Jetta and Mazda vehicles and made away with the corpse.

“I call on the general public to remain calm and go about their lawful activities as the police and the vigilantes are on ground to restore sanity to the area.”

An eyewitness said Asari was standing with some persons, when about five armed men came out from a car and shot him thrice and fled the scene.
MEANWHILE, the whereabouts of the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA),  Okey Wali, SAN, is still unknown,  four days after he was abducted.

Wali was kidnapped by yet to be identified gunmen on Monday along East-West Road in the Obiri-Ikwere area, after his convoy was hijacked. One of his aides was killed and three police officers sustained injury while chasing the  abductors.

Organisation of Ikwere lawyers  has condemned his abduction,  calling  for his unconditional release.