Gunmen believed to be members of the Iceland cult group have reportedly killed Chief Ferdinand Dabiri, the Vice Chairman of the Obelle Council of Chiefs in Rivers State’s Emohua Local Government Area.
According to sources within the community, the fatal shooting happened on Saturday evening and triggered panic among residents, many of whom fled the area fearing further attacks.
Witnesses alleged that the assailants were led by a notorious cult leader known as ‘Cairo’.
Eyewitnesses revealed that ‘Cairo’ arrived at the meeting venue on a motorbike, approached Chief Dabiri, shot him twice at close range, and then confirmed his death before leaving the scene.
The attack caused chaos among the other chiefs present, forcing them to flee for safety. Several residents also abandoned their homes in the aftermath of the killing.
The deceased’s second son, Joseph Eze Dabiri, told journalists that the murder occurred while his father was attending a meeting in Omuwoka village.
“I was informed that someone entered the venue, shot my father twice, and ran off,” he said. He added that the matter had been formally reported to the police.
It is worth noting that this is not the first time the suspect ‘Cairo’ has been accused of violence in the area.
In November last year, women in the community marched to the Rumuji Police Division, accusing him of being behind the killing of a vigilante member, Akpata Amadi.
Rivers State police spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the latest killing and assured that a thorough investigation is underway, promising that those responsible will be brought to justice.