Gunmen kill traditional ruler, student in Rivers

From Tony John Port Harcourt

Gunmen suspected to be cultists have killed two persons , a traditional ruler and student at different locations in Rivers State on Saturday.

Daily Sun gathered that suspected  Iceland cult members on evening of  July 19, 2025 , shot dead . Chief Ferdinand Dabiri,Vice Chairman, Obelle Council of Chiefs in Emohua Local Government Area of the State.

It was learnt that the suspected cultists led by one ‘Cairo’ approached the venue,where  Dabiri and other traditional rulers were holding meeting when ‘Cairo’ alighted from a motorbike with a gun, walked straight to the council’s  vice chairman, shot him twice and left after confirming that he has dead. The incident resulted  in pandemonium as other chiefs scampered for safety.

Second Son of the deceased, Joseph Eze Dabiri confirmed the incident to journalists.

Also, a 300-level student of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Julius Okpor, has been killed  by suspected cult gang.

Rivers state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP  Grace Iringe-Koko, has confirmed the killing of Okpor.

She told journalists that the student, an indigene of Okposi in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government, was allegedly shot by members of a rival cult group.

The PPRO, while responding to the killing in  the Ignatius Ajuru University, disclosed that the tragic incident occurred around Cecilia Road, Rumuolumeni.

Iringe-Koko disclosed that police operatives immediately visited the scene and the victim was rushed to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), where he was later confirmed dead by medical personnel.

She stated: “Preliminary investigations suggest that the attack may be connected to ongoing rival cult activities.

“The Rivers state police Command has launched a full-scale investigation to apprehend those responsible and bring them to justice,” She said.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju has assured members of the public that efforts were  underway to clampdown on cultism and restore peace in the area.

The CP called on residents to remain calm and cooperate with the police by providing credible information that could assist in the ongoing investigation.