• Police probe killing of student
Gunmen suspected to be Iceland cult members have killed the Vice Chairman of Obelle Council of Chiefs, Ferdinand Dabiri, during a shoot out with rival group in Emohua Local Council of Rivers State.

The tragedy occurred in the evening of Saturday, July 19, during a meeting of local chiefs at Omuwoka village.

According to sources, the suspected cult members, led by one ‘Cairo’, approached the meeting venue, walked straight to Dabiri and shot him twice before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle.

The incident sparked pandemonium, with other chiefs scampering for safety. Some natives have fled the community, fearing further attacks.

Second son of the victim, Joseph, confirmed the incident to The Guardian in a telephone chat. He said: “I heard that a guy came with gun while my father was in a meeting at Omuwoka village in Obelle, shot at him twice and fled on Saturday evening.”

The bereaved son further disclosed that the incident was reported to Rumuji Police Division, just as he called for justice on the matter.

Rivers State Police Command has not made an official statement on the incident as of press time.

On November 15, 2024, Miss Loveth Amadi had led a protest to Rumuji Police Division in Emohua Local Council where she accused ‘Cairo’ of killing her father, Akpata Amadi, a member of the local vigilante in Obelle community on November 4, 2024.

Obelle community has witnessed cult-related killings within the last year. In a related development, the police command has commenced investigation into a cult-related incident that resulted in the death of a student in Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt.

Spokesperson for the command, Grace Iringe-Koko, stated that the incident occurred on Saturday, July 19, about 11.30am.

The victim, identified as Julius Okpor, a 300-level student of Ignatius Ajuru University, was allegedly shot by members of a cult group around Cecilia Road, Rumuolumeni.

Iringe-Koko stated that police operatives immediately stormed the scene and rushed the victim to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), where he was later confirmed dead.

She said the command launched a full-scale investigation to apprehend those responsible for the crime. Preliminary investigations suggest that the attack might not be unconnected with ongoing rival cult activities in the area.

The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, assured the public that efforts by the police to clamp down on cultism and restore peace in the area would not be in vain.

He called on residents to remain calm and cooperate with the investigation by providing credible information that could assist in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

The CP noted that the command was determined to ensure that those responsible for the crime were held accountable and restore peace to the community.

The guardian