Gunmen kill nine in Rivers communities’ attacks

No fewer than nine persons were killed in two separate attacks by some gunmen who invaded two communities in the Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The incidents, which happened on Saturday in Ula-Upata and Edoha communities, claimed the lives of two members of a family identified as Gospel Nwoka (45) and Rogers Nwoka (28).

It was gathered that a group of gunmen had stormed Ula-Upata at about 1.30pm and opened fire on a building, leaving four persons in the area dead.

Apart from the two Nwokas, a 62-year-old woman, identified as Monica Zion, and Patricia Ziko (45) were also killed during the attack.

It was gathered that another group of gunmen killed five persons in Edoha, a village close to Ula-Upata community.

The five persons, according to sources, were beheaded by their assailants in an operation that occurred around 9.10pm.

“The gunmen were in Ahoada East again. We heard gunshots, and at the end, learnt that four persons were killed at Ula-Upata. There was also an attack in Edoha and five persons were killed.

“We were told that the five persons were beheaded by the gunmen. We cannot say yet whether it was a cult clash or not. At Ula-Upata, some members of a family were killed,” the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

It was gathered that a former president of the youths’ association in the area was said to be among those killed during the attack along Ikala-Ochigbo Road in Edoha.

The Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr. Musa Kimo, said on Sunday that four persons were killed during the attack in the Ahoada East LGA.

Kimo advised that communities members should always give the police timely information whenever they sighted any strange person or movement within their environment.

The state CP explained that troops had been deployed in the area with a view to halting the onslaught by the hoodlums.