Gunmen kill 21 in attack on community

No fewer than 21 people were killed by some unknown gunmen who invaded Omoku, a community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (ONELGA) local government area of Rivers State.

The attack was carried out on Monday.

Although details of the attack remained sketchy as at the time of filing this report, it was gathered that the figure of victims could be more.

It was also gathered that the gunmen attacked some people returning from the church and other ordinary members of the community.

Although the police were said to have not been able to give enough details, it was gathered that investigation had commenced and more details would be made available later.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside, has condemned the development, saying it was sad.

Peterside who was the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in the last governorship election in Rivers State suspected that rivalry between cult groups could be responsible for the killings.

He said it was unfortunate that the governor of the state,  Nyesom Wike, could not stem the tide of violence.

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 His words:  “My heart goes to the people of ONELGA and the immediate families of the deceased. This is an act that must be condemned.

“The good people of Omoku have suffered enough and this has dealt a further blow on their sufferings. I have said it time and again that Governor Wike lacks the capacity and competence to guarantee the safety and security of Rivers people.

“It is unfortunate that over 1,000 persons have been killed in questionable circumstances in the last two years under his watch. He should stop playing politics with the lives of Rivers people and face governance.

“Since the governor is not rising to the occasion to show competence, we will henceforth partner with all relevant security agencies to bring peace, law, and order to ONELGA and other parts of Rivers State.

“This is indeed a sad day for the people of ONELGA and the only way we can assuage their feelings is to ensure that this does not happen again. Governor Wike can rise above his partisan politics and display the hallmark of a statesman by openly condemning this murderous act and stop at nothing to arrest the criminals.”