Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Agbon-Eleme people of Eleme local Government area of Rivers State were thrown into mourning on Saturday night after three gun-totting men, riding motorcycles fired at scores of people at the popular Agbonchia Market. One source said no fewer than 15 people were killed, but the police said the death toll was five.
Eleme hosts the multi-billion naira Indoroma Petrochemical plant,two Port Harcourt refineries and other oil and gas related companies.
A witness said that the gunmen shot many times at a group of youths at the motorcycle wash section of the market, killing no fewer than 15 persons and injuring several others.
“The people came into the market with a motorcycle and they were about three. We thought they came to wash their motorcycle, but before we knew it, they started shooting at the people who were washing their motorcycles.
“Immediately after shooting, they jumped on top of their bike and sped off. At the end, we saw not less than 15 lifeless bodies on the ground and several others with gunshot injuries. We don’t know the reason behind the ugly incident.”
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Ahmad Muhammad, confirmed the shooting, but said five persons were killed in the incident.
Muhammad stated that one person has been arrested in connection with the attack, adding that preliminary investigation by the Police revealed that the incident was an attack by a cult group.
He said, “The assailants came on motorcycles, opened fired on a motorcycles wash point at Agbonchia Eleme and fled. Five persons lost their lives.
“Preliminary investigation revealed the incident is related to cult activities. One suspect is right now undergoing interrogation while investigation with a view of arresting the miscreants have commenced.”
Eleme is the only Constituency that produced an All Progressives member of the Rivers State House of Assembly in the 11 April election. The PDP has 31 other members.