Suspected Cultists Assassinate Community Leader During Chiefs’ Meeting in Rivers State

Suspected Cultists Assassinate Community Leader During Chiefs’ Meeting in Rivers State

Suspected members of the Iceland cult group have reportedly killed the Vice-Chairman of the Obelle Council of Chiefs, Ferdinand Dabiri, during a meeting in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The tragic incident occurred on Saturday while Dabiri and other traditional leaders were rounding off a meeting at Omuwoka village in Obelle.

Eyewitnesses say the attackers stormed the location, with one of them—identified simply as Cairo—alighting from a motorcycle and heading straight for Dabiri. He allegedly bypassed other chiefs and shot Dabiri at close range.

Confirming the attack, the victim’s son, Joseph Dabiri, said:

“I heard that a guy came with a gun while my father was in a meeting at Omuwoka village in Obelle, and shot at him.

Then somebody grabbed him (gunman) but he struggled and freed himself from the man’s grip and shot my dad again twice and fled.”

Joseph added that the incident had been reported to the Rumuji Police Division.

The Rivers State Police Command, through its spokesperson, Superintendent Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident and assured the public that investigations were underway.

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“I can confirm the incident. From the situation report I got, one ‘Cairo’ went to the Obelle community and shot somebody while they were holding a meeting.

The command has commenced investigation into the matter to ensure the perpetrators will be identified and made to face justice. The deceased’s body has been deposited in the morgue.”

The killing has sparked fear and tension in the community, as residents call on security agencies to intensify efforts to clamp down on cult-related violence in the area.