Tension in Rivers as gunmen shoot Ogoni leader, 3 others

Gunmen have attacked and shot four persons in Rivers State, including the National Leader of Conscience of Ogoni People, Chief Gani Topba.

The four persons were attacked at Bori area of Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Sunday evening, according to sources.

The victims were returning from Bori,  headquarters of Khana LGA to Port Harcourt, when gunmen riding on a motorcycle opened fire on them.

It was gathered that the bandits had opened fire on the moving vehicle from behind and shot sporadically at the private car. 

A source disclosed that all the occupants of the car sustained bullet wounds, noting that the gunmen took off after firing many shots at the car.

It was also gathered that the Topba and the others have been hospitalised and that the development has caused tension in Ogoni ahead of the Saturday’s polls.

Saviour Imeabe, National President of Ogoni Youth Development Initiative, condemned the development, saying it was politically motivated.

Imeabe urged political gladiators in Ogoni ethnic nationality not to use their interest to cause tension and criminality in the area.

Imeabe said: “These are not the kind of stories we want to hear now in Ogoni land. It is bad that we still play politics of hatred, where you kill just to have your way.

“We condemn that attack on Gani Topba and others. It is shameful that politicians still arm youths to perpetrate evil. Our politics should be devoid of guns and killings.”

He called on the security operatives to investigate the development and unravel the identity of the  gunmen and their sponsors.

Imeabe said the culprits, if arrested, should be prosecuted to serve as deterent to others.

At press time, spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said police were not aware of the attack.