About eight people were identified by some angry people as members of the local vigil in the town of Ellair in the Ikewell Local Government Area of River.
But, police in the state said four people were shot dead in the incident Wednesday at the Ele Roundabout on Harcourt-Worry Road.
It is believed that gunmen suspected of being members of the Elele Security Program and Advisory Committee (ESPAC) pounced on some young people in the area who were discussing the state’s political crisis and opening fire at them. At the time of press time, it was not clear what was the cause of the shooting, but it was reliably collected that more than eight people suffered bullet injuries.
Sources in the area who did not reveal his name told Vanguard: “This happened in Elele Town of Ikwerre LGA, the OSPAC commander of Elele, who accidentally was the leader of Elele’s PDP faction, who came out and fired guns on supporters of Gov. Sim Fubara, who are now injured in the hospital.
“The commander threatened to kill all supporters of the governor of Ellier, facing all difficulties; the chairman at the time was powerless. Today, he has executed the first part and threatened to continue. We urge security agencies to be arrested for prosecution.”
Rivers State Police Command said it has arrested a suspect in connection with the shooting in Eller Township.
Grace Iringe-Koko, police public relations officer for the police department, noted that the gangster fled after the shooting, but the man was arrested.
“The Rivers State Police Department hopes to inform the public of the violent attacks in Elele Roundabout at 7 a.m. on March 5, 2025.
“Assessed with reliable intelligence, the intelligence was illegally assembled at the site, a patrol of the Elele department led by the Divisional Police (DPO) and was quickly mobilized to the scene to restore orders.
“As an unidentified assaulter was hiding nearby and fired, causing multiple injuries. As of press time, four were injured.
“The armed gangsters fled the scene immediately, but one of them was arrested and a single barrel gun was found from him. The injured victim was quickly taken to various hospitals in Ellair for medical care.
“A raid is currently being conducted for fleeing suspects, some of whom have been identified as members of local alert organizations called OSPAC. The arrested suspects, as well as the arrested guns, will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
“River State Police Command assured the public that all perpetrators involved in this offence will be arrested and brought to justice. Further updates will be communicated in due course.”
