Information filtering into our news desk suggest that cultists may be regrouping in many parts of Rivers State amid the political crisis in the state even as suspected cultists shot one Endwell Awunze dead along Ula-Pata, Ahoada town on Tuesday night, June 18,2024.
We gathered that Mr. Awunze who is suspected to be a whistle blower against cultism and other violent crime in Okporowo community in Ahoada East LGA may have been on the trail of suspected before his untimely dead yesterday night.
Our source revealed that Mr. Awunze left the venue of protest opposite Ahoada East Council where they were protesting against tenure elongation of Local Government Chairman and boarded a motorcycle at about 7pm.
The source disclosed that as the Motorbike was navigating along Ula-Pata road, three gunmen who had already laid ambush opened fire on Mr. Awunze who died instantly while the driver of the motor bike sustained gunshot injuries and has been rushed to hospital where he is receiving treatment.
As at 7am on Wednesday, the corpse of Mr. Awunze was still at the scene of crime.
Mr. Awunze until his death, was an oil pipeline surveillance worker
In the meantime, the Centre for Basic Rights Protection And Accountability Campaign, a human rights organization has expressed worry of the negative effects the political crisis may instigate in Rivers State.
Comrade Prince Wiro, National Coordinator of the organization in reaction to the incident in Ahoada said “I am worried that cultists and other criminal elements may take advantage of the chaotic situation in the state to begin to perpetrate evil. I urge the Political gladiators in the state to carry out their activities within the confines of the law as we hear that some mischievous politicians are recruiting all manner of violent personality to achieve their aim.
“I equally call on the Police and other relevant security agencies in the state to double their effort to arrest security challenges that will arise as a result of the political crisis”.
.When contacted the Rivers State Police Command SP Iringe Koko Spokesperson for the Rivers Command confirmed the incident. She said Mr. Endwell was killed by unknown gunmen adding that investigation is ongoing