Operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, have killed at least two persons while many others suffered several degrees of injuries in Rumuosi, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The killing occured during the Burial procession of Master Aleruchi Woko, who was shot dead at Nkpolu Junction by a DSS officer attached to military convoy in November 2018.
Aleruchi Woko and other residents of Nkpolu were protesting over the poor state of the Nkpolu section of the East-West road when he was killed.
Recall that the Community Development Committee Chairman of Nkpolu Community, Achinike Orubuogwu, had on Monday issued a 2-week ultimatum to the State and Federal Government to start repairing the bad spots on the Nkpolu section of the East/West Road.
Mr Orubuogwu had said the ultimatum will start today after the burial of Woko, a 26-year-old welding apprentice.
An eyewitness said the two youths were shot by security officials when some youths who had gone to carry the corpse of late Woko at a mortuary in Rumuosi began stealing from shop owners and residents.
He said that the killing led to a heavy gun battle between SARS personnel and some suspected gunmen in the area.
He added that residents of the area have scamped for safety while businesses have been closed.
However, Rivers State Civil Society Organisation, RIVSCO, disputed the claims that the youths were killed while robbing shops, adding that the Police fired shots at gyrating friends of Aleruchi without any provocation.
The Leadership of RIVCSO who were in the community said the CDC Chairman addressed everybody and calmed them down before Aleruchi was buried.
The organisation said its leaders were about taking pictures of the incident but were shocked to see the same officers dressed in SARS uniforms alight from an SUV and began shooting directly at armless citizens who came to bury their kinsman.
“As We Speak, The Officers Are Still Shooting Profusely, Arresting People and Injuring many. The Gunmen Even Dug Up The Grave But Was Stopped By Community Elders Who Could Not Take It Anymore.
“The Chairman Of Rivers Civil Society Organisations, Enefa Georgewill Who Was There When The Incident Happened, Fell Down As People Were Scampering For Their Lives.
“RIVCSO Chairman Broke His Neck And Arm And Is Receiving Treatment”
