Suspected gunmen have killed the paramount ruler of Orokpor
village in Rumueme Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State,
Charles Miniku.
It was gathered that Miniku was assassinated on Friday night
during a meeting with other chiefs in the area inside the village hall.
SUNDAY PUNCH learnt that the development caused panic in the
area as several buildings were set ablaze.
A source, who spoke on condition anonymity, said the gunmen
stormed the council of chiefs meeting attended by some traditional rulers and
chiefs, and shot their target to death.
The source disclosed that the youth, loyal to the murdered
chief, went on rampage and allegedly burnt down houses of the people they
linked with the killing.
Miniku, until his death, was the secretary of a faction of
the community leadership, which had been in dispute. Last year, Miniku escaped
an assassination after he was accused of killing a rival chief in the
community.
Property worth millions of naira were destroyed in the
community by the rampaging youths but the riot was later calmed through the
intervention of the police.
Another source, identified only as Prince, said the murder
was related to several communal issues concerning Miniku within the community.
Prince linked the murder to chieftaincy tussle and sharing of entitlements from
Nigerian Agip Oil Company located in the area.
The spokesperson for the police in Rivers, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni,
said three suspects had been arrested in connection with the murder of the
monarch.
Omoni specifically said that the police were able to pacify
the angry youths, adding that normalcy had returned to the area.
“Yes, I can confirm the incident and we have made adequate
deployment. We have taken over the community. We suspect that the situation
could have degenerated and more lives would have been lost.
“But we were able to curtail the rampaging youths. People
have been asked to go about their lawful duties.’’
By Chukwudi Akasike and Friday Amobi
