Violence broke out in Obele community, Emohua LGA, Rivers State, following a deadly shooting that claimed the life of an OSPAC vigilante member and left four others injured in what is believed to be a revenge attack.
The shooting took place on Wednesday, escalating tensions between local vigilantes and suspected cult members. The Rivers State Police Command confirmed the incident but stated that the four victims have not yet reported to the authorities.
The conflict appears to be rooted in a dispute between Chinanu Eleonu, an OSPAC operative involved in pipeline surveillance, and former Port Harcourt councillor Chigozie Woka, alongside other local community members. A source close to the situation claimed that Eleonu had narrowly survived an attack a week earlier, but in retaliation, four individuals were shot on Wednesday.
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One of the injured, identified as Eze, spoke to a journalist by phone, denying claims of being involved in cult activities. He recounted being shot while trying to escape an attack in his village. Eze also stated that he had no knowledge of providing information to any group but was accused of being involved with Eleonu’s security efforts.
The tension in Obele worsened following the burning of Woka’s house on November 3, 2024, which he attributed to Eleonu and his OSPAC group. Woka claimed that Eleonu, an outsider to Obele, had been causing unrest in the area. He described how Eleonu had previously threatened him over his alleged collaboration with security forces to have him expelled from the village.
In contrast, Eleonu’s supporters, including Achor Egberuwho, the youth leader of Ibaa’s Omuobu village, dismissed Woka’s claims. They accused Woka of inciting violence and supporting criminal elements in the community. Egberuwho defended Eleonu’s actions, asserting that he had been a positive force in the region, working to curb illegal oil bunkering and other crimes.
As the community remains in turmoil, there are calls for peace and investigation into the events surrounding the violence. Local leaders continue to point fingers, with both sides demanding accountability.
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