Police move in to restore law and order in troubled Igboh community

• As criminal gangs terrorise Diobu residents in Port Harcourt

By PHC Telegraph

Men of the Rivers State Police Command Tuesday morning moved into Igboh in the Etche Local Government Area to maintain law and order.

The police action is coming in the wake of rising tensions provoked by gunmen who invaded a peaceful community last night and terrorised residents.

Recall that gunshots were fired Monday night at about 7pm at Edegelem, killing one man and injuring another.

So far, the identities of the deceased as well as the young man who is reportedly recovering from gunshot wounds that he sustained during the attack are not yet known.

But we have obtained pictures showing the moment road blocks were mounted and a man displaying a left leg that was hit by a bullet.

Local sources who called the Telegraph this morning say that policemen entered the community.

They say that they heard gunshots within their neighbourhood as the police went about dismantling road blocks mounted by some angry youths.

Igboh has suddenly turned into a killing range. Months ago, some persons were killed at Umuakuru.

Some locals think the shooting at Edegelem on Monday may be linked to the Umuakuru incident.

There are reports suggesting that a public school may have been targeted by arsonists and set ablaze as a result of the disturbance, but no confirmation from official quarters has been made.

Residents however confirm that some hoodlums may be seizing the chance offered by the unrest to cause mayhem and loot property.

We are learning that more persons may have sustained bullet wounds, but we could not confirm who the masterminds of Tuesday’s shooting are.

Police usually shoot in the air to scar irate crowds when they open fire. They are not trained, except in exceptional cases, ‍to shoot directly at defenceless citizens.

Meanwhile, the South South Voice, a Port Harcourt based newspaper is reporting that criminal elements have taken over Diobu.

Describing the situation as alarming, the paper in its lead report purportedly alleged that major stakeholders in the area, including the police, are doing nothing to stem what it sees as the latest source of insecurity in the State capital.