Gunmen suspected to be members of a notorious cult group have killed Chief Ferdinand Dabiri, a traditional ruler and vice chairman of the Obelle Council of Chiefs, in Obelle community, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Dabiri was reportedly shot dead on Saturday evening while attending a meeting of the chiefs at Omuwoka village in Obelle. The armed attackers stormed the venue, fired shots at him, and fled, throwing the community into chaos.
The second son of the deceased, Joseph Dabiri, told newsmen:
“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.”
Joseph added that the matter had been reported to the Rumuji Divisional Police Headquarters, urging security agencies to ensure justice is served.
As of Saturday evening, panic had gripped the area, with other chiefs and community members fleeing for safety. The Rivers State Police Command was yet to issue an official statement on the killing at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, in a related development, operatives of the Rivers State Police Command attached to the Azikiwe Police Division and the Octopus Tactical Unit foiled a violent clash between two rival cult groups in Port Harcourt.
It was gathered that one of the groups was on its way to a university’s main campus in Port Harcourt to attack its rivals when they encountered members of the opposing group along Azikiwe Street/Opobo Lane in the Diobu axis. A fierce shootout ensued, forcing traders and passersby to flee, with many businesses hurriedly shutting down.
According to eyewitnesses, the quick intervention of the police averted what could have been a bloodbath. Three suspected cultists were arrested in the process.
The state police public relations officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the development:
“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,” Iringe-Koko added.
