From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Gunmen reportedly killed four people and beheaded two among them, on Monday night, in the Rundele community, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Daily Sun gathered that the hoodlums beheaded two members of a local vigilance group in the community known as Rundele Security and Peace Advisory Council (RUSPAC).
The victims were simply identified as Endurance, Aboy, and his (Aboy) biological brother, Onyema. Also, the yet-to-be-identified hoodlums killed a member of Emohua Local Vigilante Security Services (EMOVIS), who hailed from the Emohua community.
A community source, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that the victims were taken unawares as they were allegedly attacked during their sleeping hours in their houses. He disclosed that the hoodlums killed and abandoned the RUSPAC members’ bodies, while their decapitated heads were displayed at the popular “Station” area in the community.
The community source said: “Some members of Dey-Gbam cult group, who escaped from the community, invaded the community at midnight and killed three people. They killed two RUSPAC members and, also, a brother to one of the RUSPAC guys. They also killed another Emohua guy, a member of EMOVIS.
“The members of the RUSPAC security killed were beheaded”.
It was gathered that the killings came less than a week after the Paramount Ruler of Rundele Clan, Damian Ejiowhuo, Eze Rundele N’ogbo II, was recognised and issued staff of office by the out-gone Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and hours after Siminalayi Fubara was sworn-in into office as the new governor. The paramount ruler, Damian Ejiowhuo, it was learnt, had confirmed the incident to a journalist, but declined further comment on the incident.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the incident, said no arrest has been made, adding that the commissioner of police had deployed tactical teams to the area, to ensure no breakdown of law and order, and to arrest the suspects.
Meanwhile, residents of Rundele community have called on the paramount ruler and other stakeholders to act fast in restoring peace to the area and ensure that the people behind the dastardly act are apprehended.