Gunmen kill Rivers politician, hotel owner in suspected assassination attack

Tension has gripped Ebubu community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State following the killing of a young politician and community mobilizer, Samuel Obe Ngobe, by gunmen suspected to be hired assassins.

The incident, which occurred on May 22, has sparked fear among residents and renewed concerns over rising violent attacks and targeted killings in parts of the state.

Sources in the community said the assailants, believed to be operating on a motorcycle, stormed a hotel owned by the deceased in Ebubu and went straight to where he was seated before opening fire on him at close range.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers, who reportedly wore masks during the operation, shot Ngobe multiple times before fleeing the scene immediately after the attack.

According to residents, the gunmen also seized mobile phones belonging to workers at the hotel, apparently to prevent them from raising an alarm or contacting security agencies during the operation.

“The attackers appeared to know exactly who they were after. They came straight to him, carried out the shooting and escaped within minutes,” a community source said.

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The killing has thrown the community into mourning, with many residents describing the deceased as an active grassroots politician and youth mobilizer known within the Eleme area.

Some residents expressed concern over the growing insecurity in the area and called on security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend those behind the attack.

When contacted on Monday, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, confirmed the incident.

The police spokesperson stated that investigations had commenced into the circumstances surrounding the killing.

“Investigation is ongoing on the matter,” Kaborlo said.

As of the time of filing this report, no arrests had been announced, while security operatives were said to be working to identify and track down the attackers.

The latest killing adds to growing concerns over violent crimes and politically linked attacks in parts of Rivers State, particularly ahead of increasing political activities across the state.