Gunmen (file photo)

Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

Unidentified gunmen early Wednesday morning invaded Otobie and Ererekri communities in Bonny Island of Rivers State, shooting sporadically and eventually killing four persons and leaving another of their victim in a critical condition, it has been gathered.

The motive of the invasion is yet to be ascertained as at the time of writing this report.

But it was gathered that the invasion which started at about 2 am and lasted till 5 am on Wednesday led to big pandemonium as residents of the community scamper for safety.

However, it was later learnt that among the persons shot dead was Elder Macaulay Pepple, the father of Larry Pepple, the Director-General Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency, RSSDA.

Pepple was also former Chief Security Officer to Dr Peter Odili, former governor of Rivers State.

Larry who confirmed the killing of his father to journalists in Port Harcourt said his remains has been deposited at the mortuary.

The Chairman of Caretaker Committee of Bonny Local Government, Simeon Hart, who also confirmed the incident appealed to residents of the affected communities to be calm as security operatives have been deployed to the area to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

Rivers Police Command Public Relations Officer, Omoni Nnamdi also confirmed the incident but cautioned against inflaming the already tense situation in the area.

According to him, the notable personalities were felled by the bullets of the unknown Invaders and the Policemen were already on ground to ensure that peace returned to the area.

Bonny Island is host to the multi-billion naira Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, and plant.

Lately, there has been upsurge in criminal activities especially by pirates who attack seafarers, kill, kidnap and rob them of their possessions on waterways.