Eric Olusesan/Port Harcourt
Gunmen suspected to be cultists on Wednesday (April 12,2023) invaded Ubeta community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State and killed three persons and abducted two.
The attack on Wednesday happened barely 72 hours after two Shop owners, one Chimezie Nagbo and his neighbour were kidnapped in the community on Monday (April,10,2023).
The paramount ruler of Ubeta community, Chief Million Jonathan, a telephone interview confirmed the two incidents.
Chief Million Jonathan disclosed that not all the three persons killed are cultists. He explained that the two shop owners who were kidnapped are neigbours and uptil Thursday (April 13, 2023) the kidnappers are yet to make contact with the community or family members of their victims.
Chief Jonathan claimed that attacks on the community the i have been reccuring for months now without the intervention of the security agencies and the state government.
The paramount ruler lamented many inhabitants have fled the community due regular sporadic shootings.
The Paramount ruler of Ubeta community stated that some of the youths perpetrating the act had earlier denounced Cult activities and sworn had sworn to community oath. Unfortunately,some of them have reneged and went back to their old ways of Criminality.
He maintained that the community is willing to train any of the warring Youth in skill acquisition if the person shuns criminality while calling on the Government to come to their aid.
Chief Million Jonathan also admitted he had not personally reported the latest incidents to the Police but sent Chairman of Community Development Committee file the report with the Police in Port Harcourt.
However,when contacted, the Spokesperson for the Rivers State Police command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said no official report has been made to the Police on the incident.