Cultists shoot whistleblower dead amid Rivers political crisis
Gunmen
Published By: Ayorinde Oluokun
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
One Endwell Awunze, alleged to be a whistleblower against activities of cultists and other violent criminals in Okporowo Community Ahoada, in Ahoada East local government area of Rivers State has been shot dead.
It was learned that Awunze was killed by some gunmen suspected to be cultists on Tuesday evening.
This is as it was gathered that cultists may be regrouping in many parts of Rivers State amid the political crisis in the state.
Our source revealed that Mr Awunze was killed after he left Ahoada East Council Secretariat where he joined others to protest against the tenure elongation plot of the Local Government Chairpersons in Rivers.
He was said to have boarded a motorcycle at about 7pm.
The source disclosed that the motorcycle was navigating along Ula-Pata road when three gunmen who had already laid ambush opened fire at 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.
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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, the 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 recruting 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”.
At time of filing this report, the Rivers State Police Command was yet to officially react to the incident.
