Sporadic gunfire rang out in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State on Monday night, causing panic among residents and forcing business activities to shut down abruptly. Eyewitnesses confirmed that at least two people were shot and killed during the incident, which occurred near the council secretariat.
According to Emeni Ibe, a community leader and President General of the Orashi National Congress (ONC), the shooting began around 8:00 PM and led to widespread fear as people fled for safety.
“A policeman and a member of the local vigilante group known as OSPAC were killed during the attack,” Ibe told our correspondent.
Amb. Ibe strongly condemned the violence and called on youth in the area to shun acts of brutality and embrace peace.
“I appeal to our youths to resist being used for violence. Peace is the only path to sustainable development. We cannot allow our communities to be destroyed by chaos,” he said.
He further urged the Rivers State Sole Administrator and all security agencies to prioritize safety and restore calm to the troubled local government.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has intensified investigations into a separate but related matter — the recent assault on the Sole Administrator of Ahoada-East, Mr. Goodluck Iheanacho.
Four suspects linked to that attack are now in Police custody. Among those arrested is the council’s Head of Personnel Management (HPM). The suspects were reportedly apprehended by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit on Monday.
However, the Council’s Chief Security Officer (CSO), Mr. Hector Ekeakita — alleged to have led the attack on Mr. Iheanacho — has not yet been arrested. Authorities say he remains at large.
It will be recalled that the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, earlier issued a directive for Ekeakita and other individuals named in the case to report to the State Police Headquarters in Port Harcourt for questioning.