– Omoku was attacked by about 50 gunmen who killed 15 members of the community
– Security operatives have arrested six people in connection with several attacks in different communities
– Governor Wike has placed a ban on commercial motorcyclists in four local governments
Local sources have revealed that there was tension in Omoku Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers state, following the killing of 15 people by suspected cultists.
On the night of Friday, February 12, about 50 gunmen suspected to be cultists stormed the community and killed about 15 persons.
The gunmen, numbering about 50, armed with cutlasses and different rifles, including AK-47 guns, came into Omoku town at about 7pm on Friday and began shooting sporadically; a development that caused confusion within the area.
File photo: Unknown gunmen
Sources said while some residents of the area ran into nearby bushes and neighbouring villages, others had continued to stay indoors more than 12 hours after the incident occurred.
This Day reports that about five months ago, similar number of people were also murdered in Omemu in what the police said was a cult war. Also, within the week, a former member of the House of Assembly, Monday Eleanya, who hails from the area, was murdered in cold blood as he left his Port Harcourt residence.
Some of the gunmen were said to have moved from house to house and scared residents with their intermittent gunshots.
One source said that some of the 15 persons that were killed were beheaded by their assailants. He disclosed that among those killed were a couple and two brothers from the same parents, while half of those killed were beheaded.
He said some of the worst hit areas in Omoku were Sabo Road, Odieti Quarters, Usoniri Quarters and Obakata Quarters.
“Gunmen last night (Friday) took over Omoku, killing not less than 15 persons. Among those killed were husband and wife as well as two brothers from the same parents. Half of those killed were beheaded by their attackers.
“It started at about 7pm on Friday when we heard the sound of gunshots. We were told that some unknown gunmen numbering up to 50 came into Omoku Town and began to shoot indiscriminately.
“Those outside ran for their dear lives and we that were inside have continued to stay indoors in order not to be hit by the gunmen’s bullet. It was a terrible situation,” the source said.
The state police spokesman, Mr Ahmad Muhammad (DSP), confirmed the incident, but said only six persons, who were members of a cult group, were killed.
He said: “The incident is reasonably believed to be a battle of supremacy between rival cult groups in the town. As it is now, the situation is under control as anti-riot policemen were drafted to reinforce the existing security in the town. As for casualties, six dead bodies of the suspected cultists were recovered.”
Meanwhile, two persons in connection with the cult-related clashes that led to the death of about 15 people in Omoku have been arrested.
The police spokesman said the suspects, Chimezie Ordu and Ikwudili Wordu, were currently undergoing interrogation at the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID).
“The Command have for now arrested the duo of Chimezie Ordu and Ikwudili Wordu. They are now undergoing interrogation at the State CID,” Muhammad said.
Meanwhile the Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike, has banned the operation of commercial motorcyclists, popularly called ‘Okada’ between 5pm and 8am daily in four local government areas of the state for security reasons.
A statement by the special assistant to the governor on electronic media, Simeon Nwakaudu, says the ban takes effect from Sunday, February 14.
The four local government areas affected by the directive are; Abua/Odual, Ahoada East, Ahoada West and Ogba/ Egbema /Ndoni (ONELGA).
The statement says that: “the stipulated ban on the operation of ‘Okada’ in these local government areas is indefinite.
“Governor Wike has directed security agencies to enforce the ban.
“The governor regrets any inconveniences the ban will cause residents, businesses and commercial motorcyclists in these local government areas,” the statement reads.
Wike, however, called on all stakeholders in the mentioned local government areas to cooperate with the state government and security agencies to improve the security situation in their communities.
In the same vein, the Nigerian army on Sunday said it had arrested members of a four-man gang allegedly terrorising residents of Ulakwo community in Etche Local Government area of Rivers.
There had been rising cases of cultism, assassinations, armed robbery and kidnapping in some communities in the state.
The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations Officer, 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt, Captain Eli Lazarus, made the disclosure while parading the suspects in Port Harcourt.
According to Lazarus, an intelligence report made the troops raid criminal hideouts in Ulakwo community and recovered arms and ammunition from the gang.
“Following reports of criminal activities of some young men who had been unleashing terror on innocent citizens, troops from 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, conducted a search in Ulakwo community.
“The operation, which was successful, led to the arrest of four young men, aged between 23 and 35, who were terrorising law-abiding citizens in the community.
“Two Pump Action rifles, a Dane gun and four cartridges of live ammunitions, were recovered from the suspects during the raid,” he explained. Lazarus said the suspects would be handed over to the Department of State Security (DSS) for further investigation and possible arraignment in court. He said the Army had put in place, mechanisms to rid the state of criminals, to enable residents go about their lawful businesses without fear of molestation. ‘’Criminals and restive youths should have a change of heart and engage themselves in legal ventures, otherwise we will come after them,’’ Lazarus said.
The army spokesman urged members of the public to continue to provide security agencies with information that could lead to the arrest of criminals.
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