Port Harcourt, Nigeria - In what looked like daring Almighty God, unknown gunmen yesterday killed two worshippers and abducted the traditional ruler of Umuebulu Community in Etche local government area of Rivers State , Eze Sunday Njoku.
LEADERSHIP gathered that Eze Njoku was kidnapped when the gunmen stormed the church located in the community at about 9.30 a.m. when the Sunday service was going on and forced the monarch out of his seat.
It was further gathered that the hoodlums shot sporadically to stop worshippers who to resist the abduction, killing two of them and wounding several others.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Dr. Rita Inoma-Abbey, told LEADERSHIP that the hoodlums fled towards Aba , Abia State, with the abducted monarch, stating that the kidnappers were yet to make contact with the family.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State government yesterday expressed worry over the rising cases of killings and kidnappings in most border communities in the state.
Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi disclosed this while speaking at Saint Stephen's Anglican Church, Obeakpu-Ndoki in Oyigbo local government area of the state during the 80th birthday celebration of the Ndoki monarch, Eze Sylvanus Nwaeke.
Governor Amaechi said the most challenging aspect of the situation in the border communities was that hoodlums from neigbouring states come into the communities to commit crime.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Tele Ikuru, appealed to the people in the border communities to remain calm as the state government has taken steps towards addressing the problem.