Again, suspected cultists have killed five policemen and three civilians
even as several others were injured between Sunday and Monday in
Ahoada-East and Degema Council Areas of Rivers State, respectively.
Attacks by gunmen on innocent citizens and security operatives have become
a recurring decimal in different parts of Rivers State.
While the five policemen were killed at Okogbe community, a civilian was
killed in Ahoada town, all in Ahoada-East Council Area.
Also, two persons were killed while several others were injured when
masked gunmen attacked a burial ceremony at Bakana community in Degema
Council Area of state.
A prominent youth leader in Ahoada-East Council Area, Samuel Gideon
Ozogbe, confirmed the killing of the five policemen in Okogbe community as
well as one civilian in Okogbe community.
Ozogbe, who is the Secretary-General of Ekpeye Youths Congress Worldwide,
stated that the murdered security officers were ambushed by yet to be
identified gunmen suspected to be cultists.
Meanwhile, the Traditional Ruler of Bakana community in Degema Council
Area HRH Oneye Odum Gbaboi, who confirmed the killing ofthe two persons,
said his son was also among those attacked by the gunmen.
He called on the state Governor, Barr Nyesom Wike to provide adequate
security for the people of the community and Degema Council Area.
The traditional ruler accused the State Police Command of failing to
deploy policemen to the community despite his repeated appeals, saying
gunmen have been terrorizing the people of the community.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO) in the state,
Ahmad Kidaya Muhammad, confirmed the killing of his colleagues but added
that he would respond to other killings at the right time.