The Vice Chairman of Obelle Council of Chiefs in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State has been shot dead.
The victim was reportedly killed on Saturday during a meeting of local chiefs at Omuwoka village.
Joseph Eze Dabiri, the second son of the slain chief, confirmed the killing during a telephone conversation with Channels Television on Sunday.
I heard that a guy came with a gun while my father was in a meeting at Omuwoka village in Obelle, shot at him twice and fled, Joseph said.
He added that the matter has been reported to the Rumuji Police Division and appealed to authorities to ensure justice is served.
Rivers is a map oil-producing state in Nigeria.
According to eyewitnesses, the peace of the gathering was shattered when suspected members of the Iceland cult group, allegedly led by a notorious figure known as Cairo, stormed the venue on motorbikes.
The incident has thrown residents of the community into mourning.
Cairo reportedly alighted from a bike, walked directly up to Chief Dabiri, pulled out a firearm, and shot him at close range—twice—before fleeing the scene. The assailant reportedly confirmed his victim was dead before making his escape.
The sudden violence caused pandemonium as other chiefs scrambled for safety. By nightfall, reports indicated that some residents had begun fleeing the community for fear of further attacks.
As of the time of this report, the Rivers State Police Command has not released an official statement on the incident but personnel from a military outpost in Ibaa – a neighboring community – have stepped up their patrols.
The killing has further deepened concerns over the resurgence of cult-related violence in Obelle. It may be recalled that on November 15, 2024, one Miss Loveth Amadi led a protest to the same Rumuji Police Division, accusing the same Cairo of being responsible for the murder of her father, Akpata Amadi, a member of the local vigilante group. That incident occurred on November 4, 2024.
Obelle has witnessed a disturbing rise in cult-linked killings over the past year, with residents now calling for urgent security intervention to prevent further bloodshed and restore peace in the troubled community.
