A Pastor Of The Lord’s Chosen Church Killed On His Way To Night Vigil In Rivers State

Unknown gunmen have killed three persons, including a pastor of The Lord’s Chosen Church at different locations in Rivers State. The pastor, whose details could not be ascertained as at the time of filing the report, was killed on Monday night on his way to church vigil in Ofuomini community, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of the State. Details of the second person killed in the same community by suspected cultists were sketchy.

Similarly, armed men, at about 11pm on Monday, assassinated an aide to the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the State, simply identified as Godknows. The deceased popularly known as Babadiba, was said to have been shot dead inside his residence by a group of unknown gunmen. The middle-aged man was the Special Adviser to the Caretaker Committee Chairman, Sobomabo Jackrich, on Business Development. His corpse was removed later yesterday by combined team of security operatives.

Also, kidnappers of a Port Harcourt based legal practitioner, Wole Akindutire, has demanded N10 million ransom for his release. The lawyer was kidnapped a fortnight ago, by gunmen at about 10 pm along Ada George Road, Port Harcourt. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Port Harcourt Branch, has appealed to the kidnappers to release the victim unconditionally.

Publicity Secretary of the association, Port Harcourt branch, Angus Chukwuka, urged the abductors to consider the health challenges of the victim and release him to his family and colleagues. “We still appeal to them to re-consider their request for ransom, knowing that the present economic atmosphere in Nigeria is witnessing unprecedented decline. “We appeal to them to, please, release our colleague immediately without the payment of ransom, especially, considering his condition of health, which is currently raising concerns among his colleagues, friends and family/”

The association further urged the persons involved in kidnapping to desist from such dastardly act and spare its members. He said: “We do not ask for any citizen to be kidnapped; but, we wonder why the interest in kidnapping lawyers.”

Meanwhile, Police have arrested five persons suspected to be involved in kidnapping and robbery in Ubima area in Ikwerre Local Government. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the State, Ahmad Muhammad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), gave the names of the suspects as Okachi Isaiah (33), Benjamin Ohahuru (33), Enyele Eze (45), Orakwu Innocent (28) and Ibuchi (32).

Among the items recovered from the suspects were two AK 47 rifles, one pump action gun, one bereta pistol, and ammunition.