A former youth leader from Odhiajie community, located in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, was shot and killed in the early hours of Wednesday, April 9, by suspected cultists believed to be members of the Iceland faction.
The attackers, reportedly five in number, stormed Godspower Uwhetu’s home around 1 a.m., forcibly dragged him outside, and shot him in front of his residence.
Local sources told Vanguard that the assailants were reportedly followers of the late cult leader David Gift, also known as 2Baba, whose group has been linked to several violent incidents in the region. The group is said to be led by an individual named Sam, who is suspected of leading the attack.
Hector Chinem Ekeakita, a local resident and former Public Relations Officer of the Igbu Akoh Youth Congress, confirmed the murder and provided details leading up to the fatal shooting. Ekeakita explained that tensions had been rising in the days before the incident after Sam’s mother accused Uwhetu of orchestrating a military raid on her son’s home. Following the public confrontation, Uwhetu allegedly went into hiding, fearing for his safety.
“Uwhetu had told his friends that if anything happened to him, Sam should be held accountable,” Ekeakita said. “This morning, we woke up to the tragic news of his murder. Sam is one of the 2Baba loyalists who narrowly escaped during a raid on their hideout by security forces.”
The incident has sparked renewed calls for urgent intervention from security agencies. Ekeakita also highlighted ongoing security concerns in the Igbu Akoh kingdom, pointing to recent acts of vandalism in the nearby Odieke-Akoh community, where cultists are believed to have destroyed properties and solar installations.
“We are urging the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Air Force, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Army units stationed in Ahoada to take immediate action before the situation worsens,” Ekeakita said. “There’s an urgent need to apprehend these criminal elements who are terrorizing Ekpeye land.”
As of now, the Rivers State Police Command has not issued an official statement regarding the killing. Residents continue to live in fear as violence escalates, demanding immediate action to restore peace and order to the community.
They are just wasting people’s lives any how. God have mercy on us.