Fours persons are feared dead and property worth millions of Naira destroyed by armed youths who invaded Nkpor- Rumuolumeni, near Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Saturday’s attack, which forced hundreds of persons to flee Rumuolumeni to other parts of Port Harcourt, is said to be a reprisal attack by supporters of the murdered president of Rumuolumeni Youth Council, Golden Isi, who was killed last Monday by some unknown gunmen.
Residents of the area said some armed youths, numbering over 30, invaded the community at about 1:30 am yesterday and embarked on a selective destruction of houses and other valuable properties.
The Guardian learnt that the youths, who freely used dynamites during their attack, also killed four persons among them a man from the neighbouring Ogbogoro community in Obio-Akpor local government area of the state.
A resident of the area, Bright Ikechukwu said the killing of the Ogbogoro man, forced scores of incensed youths from his community to launch a counter attack at Rumuolumeni, which was foiled.
Sources said the attackers’ decision to attack Nkpor-Rumuolumeni might have been informed by the belief that some of the suspected killers of Isi might be staying there.
The murder of Isi, who was once a former Vice Chairman of NUPENG and until his demise, a staff of Aker Oil Services Limited, last Monday, spurred a reprisal attack that led to the killing of at least six persons at Rumuolumeni.
The Rivers State Police Command Spokesperson, Mrs. Ireju Barasua confirmed the incident, adding that a police anti-riot contingent had been dispatched to the area.