Thursday, April 10, 2025 - A former youth leader in Odhiajie community, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, was sh0t dead in the early hours of Wednesday, April 9, by suspected cultists believed to be members of the Iceland sect.
The attackers, numbering five, allegedly stormed the home of
Godspower Uwhetu at about 1 a.m., forcibly dragged him outside, and shot him
dead in front of his house.
Local sources told Vanguard that the assailants were
loyalists of the late cult figure David Gift, popularly known as 2Baba, whose
group has been linked to a series of violent incidents in the region. The group
is reportedly led by an individual identified as Sam, who allegedly spearheaded
Wednesday's attack.
Hector Chinem Ekeakita, a resident and former Public
Relations Officer of the Igbu Akoh Youth Congress, confirmed the killing and
provided context leading up to the fatal shooting. According to Ekeakita,
tensions escalated days prior when Sam’s mother publicly accused Uwhetu of
orchestrating a military raid on her son's residence. Following the
confrontation, Uwhetu reportedly went into hiding, fearing for his life.
“Uwhetu told his friends that if anything happened to him,
Sam should be held responsible,” Ekeakita said. “This morning, we woke up to
the news of his murder. Sam is one of the 2Baba loyalists who narrowly escaped
during a raid on their base by security forces.”
The incident has sparked renewed calls for urgent
intervention by security agencies. Ekeakita highlighted ongoing insecurity in
the Igbu Akoh kingdom, referencing recent acts of vandalism in the nearby
Odieke-Akoh community where properties and solar installations were destroyed
by suspected cultists.
“We are calling on the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Air
Force, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Army units stationed in Ahoada
to swing into action before the situation deteriorates further,” he urged.
“There is a need to fish out these criminal elements who are holding Ekpeye
land hostage.”
As of press time, the Rivers State Police Command has not
issued an official statement regarding the incident. Residents continue to live
in fear amid rising violence, demanding immediate action to restore peace and
order in the community.
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