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.
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.
