Unknown gunmen invade Rivers communities, murder six

Suspected cultist members have invaded Gwara and Kono-Boue communities, Khana local government area of Rivers State killing at least six persons.

The unknown gunmen numbering over seven according to reports attack Gwara community on Monday shooting sporadically.

According to an eyewitness identified as Lekia, the indiscriminate shooting by the gunmen left three persons dead.

Lekia noted that the killers had later Monday afternoon stormed neighbouring Kono-Boue where they shot dead a motorcycle rider and his two passengers.

Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the Community Development Community, Kono-Boue, Nwibakpo Golden, narrated that the incident caused panic in the area, as residents fled into the bushes for safety. 

Golden said: “This afternoon unknown gunmen invaded Gwara community, killing about three persons. They went into Kono-Boue, killing three too. A motorcycle rider and the persons that were with him were killed. 

“They were coming from Thanksgiving when they ran into the gunmen and were shot dead.”
 Golden said he called the Divisional Police Officer in-charge of Bori division, but regretted that before the police team could arrive the community the hoodlums had already taken to flight.

He said: “As we speak now, some people are hiding in the bush. The way they (gunmen) came, they were not looking at anybody. They were just shooting.

“The governor of Rivers State once came to this place and promised that there will be a police station there. Kono-Boue is a very large community. We are still hoping that he will fulfil his promise. 

“Secondly, the road there is bad. If they fix the road, the police can easily access the area anytime we call them. The DPO came with his team, but the gunmen did not waste time. He (DPO) was able to restore normalcy.”

However, there is no official statement from the state police command at the time of filing this report.