Gunmen kill CDC chairman, chief priest in Rivers Community.

Gunmen have killed a community development chairman, CDC, and a chief priest in Choba community, Obio Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Choba is the host community of the University of Port Harcourt which has seen a sharp rise in violent crimes in the past months.

A local source who spoke to Theportcitynews said two persons including a chief priest and the community development chairman were killed in what seems like a prolonged attack by cult groups operating in the area.

According to the source, the shooting began at about 1 am and raged on through the night.

He said: “The shooting began around 1 am. We also heard sounds of dynamite.

“The home of the Chairman, Community development committee of Choba, Mr Lawrence Igwe, who is also a lecturer and a Director in the Rivers State ministry of Environment, and an Anglican Knight was raided by the gunmen who shot him dead. The chief priest of the community was also killed while the gunmen could not gain access to the home of the paramount Ruler.

” As I am talking to you, people are scared of going out. Everywhere is calm”

Another source told our correspondent that security situation in Choba has graduated into terrorism, adding that no week passes without shooting with people being killed.

She said that at about 1 am, they started hearing sounds of heavy gunshots, adding that some sounded like bombs were dropped.

The source said that the police seem overwhelmed by the situation and have left Choba residents to their fate.

According to her: “It is a terrible situation. Today is Sunday and we’re all inside the house. No one wants to venture out to avoid being killed.

” We were told that two persons were killed but it might be more.

Theportcitynews contacted a representative of the Choba traditional ruler, His Roya Highness, Eze Raymond Webilor Okocha who told our correspondent that the traditional council is working hard to bring lasting peace to the community.