Violence Erupts in Obele Community, Rivers State
A shooting incident in Obele community, Emohua Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State has raised concerns over escalating tensions in the area. According to sources, a member of the OSPAC vigilante group was killed by suspected cultists on Wednesday.
Further reports indicate that four others were shot in Omuwhoke Ngbume village, Obele, in what is believed to be a reprisal attack. However, the injured individuals have yet to report the incident to the authorities.
The unrest is said to have begun after a dispute involving Chinanu Eleonu, an OSPAC operative, also known as ‘Naked,’ who was conducting a pipeline surveillance operation. The disagreement allegedly involved Chigozie Woka, a former councillor of Port Harcourt Ward 17 and a native of the community, along with other local members.
Witnesses claim that Mr. Eleonu narrowly escaped an attack a week earlier after being ambushed by adversaries. The latest violence, marked by the shooting of four individuals, appears to be an act of retaliation linked to the previous altercation.
Eze, one of the gunshot victims, confirmed the incident in a phone conversation with a journalist, denying any involvement in cult activities. The situation in Obele has raised alarm among residents and security agencies as they seek to contain the violence and prevent further escalations.
The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed awareness of the incident and urged community members to report any relevant information that could assist in ongoing investigations.
Eze, the injured victim, recounted the events of that day, stating that he and his brother were attacked by Naked boys with guns while they were in their house. He said he told his brother to run, but as they were fleeing, they began shooting at them, and they were shot.
Chigozie Woka, the former councillor, blamed Mr. Eleonu for the arson attack on his house on Sunday, claiming that Eleonu had called him to say he was working with the security agency to chase him out of Obele. Woka alleged that Eleonu and his OSPAC boys attacked and burnt his house, asking what his crime was other than being a supporter of security agencies and wanting Obele to be a peaceful land.
In a swift response, Achor Egberuwho, the youth leader of Omuobu village in Ibaa, spoke on behalf of Mr. Eleonu, claiming that Chigozie Woka had supported a group of rascals to attack Obele on Sunday morning and that Eleonu barely survived the attack.
Egberuwho accused Woka of boasting that Obele would not know peace unless the CDC Chairman position was given to him and stated that Eleonu was working as a surveillance operative and had stopped illegal oil bunkering in the area, as well as drug abuse.
