Six killed in Rivers over community’s refusal to pay levy to cultists

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By Tina Amanda

Suspected cultists, in the early hours of Wednesday, 31 May 2023, invaded the Abarikpo community in Ahoada East local government area, killing one person and five people from the Odiereke-Ubie community in Ahoada West were murdered on Tuesday, 30 May 2023.

In an interview with our correspondent, Public Relations Officer, Akoh Youth Congress in Akoh kingdom, Ahoada East LGA, Ekeakita Hector Chinem, disclosed that the incident occurred about five minutes past 4:am in Abarikpo community in Ahoada East.

“Some suspected cult boys who reside at neighbouring community came to Abarikpo community and searched for about three persons. Unluckily, one Aburi Dickson Edi was found in his house sleeping.

“They bashed into his house, shot him in his stomach, and his intestine gushed out, and they rode their bike down to their hideout.

“Secondly, in Odiereke Ubie community, Ward 9 Ahoada West LGA, five Youths were killed on Tuesday, 30 May 2023, because the district refused to pay one million nairas to the hoodlums living inside the bush.

“This community do not have money; none of their elite is available at home; the people at home do not have money. The five killed youths were returning from farm harvest before their sudden death; the gunmen came with three motorbikes, killed them and left without quarrelling.

He, however, faulted the recent statement made by some Chiefs in the Ekpeye Kingdom that there are no insecurity issues in Ahoada East and West, describing the statement as 0p
mischievous targeted to gain favour from the public and their fellows who are allegedly enjoying the killings.

He said further that killings are recorded daily, weekly and monthly in Ekpeye land.

The Akoh PRO called on the Commissioner Police CP Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka to act speedily by making sure the culprits are brought to book. While noting that the hideout of the hoodlums is very known, and they do not know why security agencies are pampering them, hoodlums.

Meanwhile, the Spokesperson for Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe Koko, confirmed the incident.

She said six persons were killed by suspected cultists in Odiereke Ubie community Ahoada West while gathering Palm fronds over the community’s refusal to pay one point five (1.5) million naira to the suspected cultists.

She also confirmed the killing at the Abarikpo community in Ahoada East.