..Police Arrest Seven Suspects
By Eric Moore
SUSPECTED cult members have killed five persons in Obele community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The killers were reported to have traced their targets to their various apartments, breaking into the homes and murdered them.
A native who pleaded anonymity disclosed that some of the persons killed were believed to be blood relations to rival gunmen who came on reprisal mission over death two persons earlier.
One of the local vigilance group leaders in neighbouring Ibaa and Obelle communities, Chinanu Eleonu, who raised the alarm to security agencies in the area, accused two men simply identified as Kiro and Yellow of being responsible for the dastardly act.
Eleonu while addressing the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area and commander of Joint Task Force (JTF ) in the area, dissociated himself from any form of crime in the community.
He explained that the clarification became necessary following the killing of an OSPAC (vigilance group) member that occurred late 2024, which he claimed was traced to the same gang.
He called on the Emohua Local Government Chairman, David Omereji, DPO and JTF commander to redouble their efforts in ensuring proper investigation and possible arrest of those behind the crime.
Meanwhile, operatives have arrested seven suspected to be involved in the killings.
The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police (SP) confirmed the incident and number of deaths to journalists.
Iringe-Koko said: “Yes, I can confirm the incident. Five persons were killed and seven suspects have been arrested and are in Police custody.
Also, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, has directed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the jurisdiction and Area Commander in charge of the area to fish out and apprehend fleeing members of the cult groups.”
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) added that the command was on top of the situation.