PORT HARCOURT – Fear has gripped residents of Rumuodogo 2 Community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State after suspected gunmen invaded the area in the early hours of Monday, killing two persons in what is believed to be a reprisal attack linked to a lingering communal dispute.
The attackers reportedly stormed the community at about 1 a.m., triggering panic as residents fled for safety.
One of the survivors, Mrs. Monica Stephen, whose husband was among those killed, recounted the terrifying ordeal, alleging that the assailants came from a neighbouring community in a local government bordering Rumuodogo 2.
According to her, the gunmen forcefully broke into their home, dragged her and her husband outside before beating him and eventually shooting him dead.
“They came around 1 a.m., broke our door and dragged my husband and me outside. I was even naked when they brought us out. They started beating my husband before shooting him. They wanted to kill me too, but one of them said they should leave me because I am a woman,” she narrated.
Mrs. Stephen further claimed that the attackers accused residents of Rumuodogo 2 of being responsible for the killing of some persons whose bodies were recovered from a river last Monday, suggesting the latest attack was carried out in retaliation.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police Blessing Agabe, said two persons lost their lives in the attack.
“I can confirm the incident. Two persons were killed in the attack. Investigation is ongoing to ascertain the motive behind the attack and to arrest the perpetrators,” Agabe said.
The latest violence has heightened concerns over the lingering communal tensions in the area, with residents calling for urgent intervention by security agencies to prevent further bloodshed.
