Gunmen suspected to be cultists invaded Choba community in Obi/Akpor local Government area of Rivers state early morning Sunday, July 14, 2019 killing 2 persons and injuring one, National Network has learnt.
The killing came barely 48 hours after the newly deployed Commissioner of Police in Rivers State CP Danduara Mustapha read riot act to criminals.
We gathered that the Community Development Chairman (CDC) Lawrence Igwe and the Chief Priest of the community Orji Azor were the victims in the latest attack which left one Ike critically injured.
The reason for the latest attack could not be ascertained but investigations by National Network indicate that Choba community have been embroiled in cult war since the beginning of 2019.
Our source revealed that the unrest was triggered by fight for supremacy and territory control by suspected Icelanders and Deygbam cult groups.
On June 29, 2019 a generator repairer was killed and his genitals removed by suspected cultists while his girlfriend who was shot was rushed to the hospital by the men of Choba Police Division.
On June 28, 2019 a unit commander of Special Anti-Robbery Squad(SARS) in Etche, George Thomas was shot by gunmen in Choba.
Also on March 27, 2019 the spokesperson of Rivers State Police command Omoni Nnamdi confirmed the killing of one Chima Ibe a suspected Icelander cult member who was burnt to death by suspected Deygbam cult members.
Four persons were killed a day after Chima’s death in what many believe is a reprisal attack.
At the meantime, the spokesperson of Rivers State Police command Omoni Nnamdi confirmed the killing of the Chief Priest and The Community Development Chairman to National Network.
Omoni Nnamdi told our reporter that the command is aware of the incident.
Many residents who spoke to National Network called on relevant security agencies to beef up security in the area.
The residents told our reporter that they are living in fear following repeated attacks by suspected cultists.
The residents revealed that some people have fled the community for fear of been killed by rampaging cultists.
