Violence erupts in a Rivers State community, resulting in one fatality and a house set ablaze. Discover more about the incident and the authorities’ response to restore peace.
The Obele community in Emohua LGA, Rivers State, has experienced a surge of violence. According to reports from our correspondent, suspected cultists shot and killed an OSPAC vigilante member on Wednesday.
Reports indicate that four additional individuals have been shot in what is believed to be a reprisal attack at Omuwhoke Ngbume village, Obele.
Confirming the incident, Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, stated that they are aware of the disturbance. However, she mentioned that the four men who were shot have not yet reported to them.
Our correspondent reported that the trouble began when Chinanu Eleonu, an OSPAC operative commonly known as Naked and involved in a pipeline surveillance operation, got into a dispute with Chigozie Woka—a former councillor of Port Harcourt Ward 17 from the area—and several other community members.
A source familiar with the situation revealed that Mr. Eleonu narrowly escaped an attack last week when he was ambushed by adversaries. In what seems to be a retaliatory act, four men were subsequently attacked and shot in connection with this incident. One of the victims, Eze, confirmed the event during a phone call with a journalist and denied any involvement as a cultist.
My name is Eze, and I’m from Obele town in Emohua LGA. While my brother and I were at home, I heard the sound of a motorbike outside our house.
I stood up and said, “Let me go check on the others.” When I did, I saw naked boys with guns. I told my brother to run, and as we started fleeing, they began shooting at us. They shot both me and my brother; there were four of us in total who got shot. To this day, I’ve not seen one of them again.
We contacted the village to ask if they had seen my brother, but they said they hadn’t.
“Naked is from Ibaa, and he mentioned that he’s involved in security surveillance. I’m not sure about the details. I’m definitely not a cultist. There were rumors saying we were sharing information, but that’s all I heard before leaving the community—I have no idea who they think we’re informing.”
In the meantime, Mr. Chigozie Woka, a former councilor whose house was attacked and set ablaze on Sunday, November 3rd, 2024, is holding Mr. Eleonu responsible for the arson incident. He stated: “I am Chigozie Woka and I previously served as a Councillor in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.”
What is happening in Obele today? The area has been facing a crisis due to the activities of a young man known as Naked.
This young man is originally from Ibaa, not Obele. He sought refuge in Obele and accused me over the phone of collaborating with a security agency to drive him out. I assured him that I was not involved in any such plans or working with anyone for that purpose.
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On Sunday, when I was in Port Harcourt, they informed me that he had gone to my house with his OSPAC boys. This young man would not show up if called for profiling as an OSPAC member. He went to my house; they said he ransacked the place and set it on fire.
“What is my crime for collaborating with security agencies to remove him from Obele? I have been actively fighting against this crime, and I want Obele to be a peaceful community like others.”
In a prompt response, Achor Egberuwho, the youth leader of Omuobu village in Ibaa and spokesperson for Mr. Eleonu stated…
It’s unbelievable that Chigozie Woka would lower himself like this. Backed by his paymaster, Chigoze led a group of troublemakers to Obele on Sunday morning. If not for the grace of God, Chinanu Eleonu, also known as Naked, barely made it out alive.
Chigozie has been confidently asserting that Obele will not find peace unless he is appointed the CDC Chairman.
Chigozie Woka and his gang were responsible for the attack on Naked. Reports have been circulating about houses being torched in Obele, with people also suffering gunshot wounds. If Naked is a member of OSPAC, why would an OSPAC target another? On Sunday, Naked narrowly escaped while Chigozie abandoned his men in the bush; they emerged Monday evening to kill one OSPAC member as others fled.
“The OSPAC are actively searching for the killers. No houses have been destroyed. We urge people to visit Obele and verify if any house was burnt or if anyone else, aside from the OSPAC member killed by Chigozie and his gang, has been harmed. Chinanu Eleonu did not destroy any property nor harm anyone.”
Chinanu Eleonu is a compassionate and harmonious individual who works in surveillance. He has put an end to illegal oil bunkering in EMOLGA, as well as halted all forms of illegality, including drug abuse.
