Suspected Cultists Kill Traditional Ruler in Rivers

Gunmen suspected to be members of a notorious cult group have killed a traditional ruler in Obelle community in Emohua local government area of Rivers State, Chief Ferdinand Dabiri.

This is as operatives of the Rivers State Police Command at the weekend foiled a clash between two rival cult groups in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Dabiri, who is the vice chairman of Obelle Council of Chiefs, was allegedly shot and killed by the suspected cultists who invaded venue of a meeting of the chiefs in the community.

The incident resulted in pandemonium as other chiefs scampered for safety, and as of Saturday evening, some natives had also fled the community.

Speaking to newsmen, the second son of the deceased, Joseph Dabiri, said, “I heard that a guy came with a gun while my father was in a meeting at Omuwoka village in Obelle, shot at him twice and fled on Saturday evening.”

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He further disclosed that the incident has been reported to the Rumuji Divisional Police headquarters, while calling for justice.

The Rivers State Police Command has not made an official statement on the incident at press time.

In a related development, operatives of the Rivers State Police Command, attached to Azikiwe Police Division and the Octopus Tactical Unit, have foiled a clash between two rival cult groups in Port Harcourt.

It was gathered that members of one of the cult groups were on their way to the main campus of one of the universities in Port Harcourt to unleash violence and terror on their opponents when they came in contact with their rivals along Azikiwe Street/Opobo Lane in Diobu area of the state capital, where they engaged themselves in a shoot-out.

Eyewitnesses say business owners and passersby scampered for safety, and some hurriedly closed for the day as the clash ensued.

A source told LEADERSHIP that the timely intervention of the Azikiwe Police Division and Octopus Strike Force Unit led to the arrest of three suspected cultists involved in the clash, which brought the situation under control.

When contacted, the police public relations officer (PPRO) in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the ugly development.

Iringe-Koko said: “Yes, I can confirm the incident. Three suspects were arrested. One English made revolver pistol, one live ammunition and three expanded ammunitions were recovered in the bag of the suspects.

“Investigation is ongoing with a view to arresting fleeing members of the cult groups.”