Two shot dead in Port Harcourt carjacking incidents
Rowland Asuru, a Port Harcourt based Business man allegedly shot dead by suspected Carjackers at night on Tuesday October 10 in Port Harcourt.
Published By: Ayorinde Oluokun
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Residents of Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State are apprehensive over the increased rate of carjacking in the city with two motorists shot dead at different locations in the city on Tuesday evening alone.
The victims include one Roland Asuru, a Port Harcourt-based businessman who was billed to celebrate his 53rd birthday on October 20.
He was shot dead along Wopara Street, Off old Aba road in Rumuibekwe axis of Port Harcourt by suspected armed carjackers.
Some eyewitnesses said he was shot after a mild struggle with suspected carjackers who subsequently took away his car, leaving him in his pool of blood.
Several sounds of gunshots aroused concerned residents and neighbours who arrived at the scene and rushed the bleeding Asuru to the Military hospital Port Harcourt where he was confirmed dead.
His body was later deposited at the mortuary. It is not clear if it was a case of assassination or mere carjacking gone tragic.
Asuru hailed from Ogbakiri, in Emohua local government area of Rivers State.
His friends, brothers and others have been sending their condolences through the social media platforms. Among them are Godstime Orlukwu, a former Caretaker Committee of Emohua LGA and Achor Omodu, a lawyer. Both are chieftains of Rivers All Progressives Congress, APC.
Omodu said, “Too hard to believe that you died in the hands of car snatchers within the Rumuibekwe axis of Port Harcourt.
On his part, Okwu Francis Bogbula said, “Too hard to believe that you died in the hands of car snatchers within Rumuibekwe axis of Port Harcourt”.
Also, elsewhere at Nanka Street, Mile One, Diobu, Port Harcourt and on the same night, an auto-mechanic, one John Okon, was also shot dead. His female companion in the car scampered for safety.
She later told the Police that those who attacked them robbed her and attempted to rob the late John Okon of his car and while struggling to prevent the hoodlums from taking his car key, he was shot.
Commenting on the incident, Amatari Bipilade, the Chairman of the Diobu Vigilante group said Okon was killed inside his Golf 3 by Nanka Street Mile One Diobu Port Harcourt.
He said the deceased was an auto-mechanic with his workshop at Ojike by Iliabuchi, Diobu, Port Harcourt, but resides at Iwofe, a suburb of Port Harcourt.
In another development, One Kalada Briggs was also shot by a gang of suspected car snatchers who operated within the D/Line axis of Port Harcourt.
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It was learned that Briggs’ car was also snatched by his attackers, while the victim who survived the shooting is still in an undisclosed health facility in the state.
His case and others probably not reported instantly gave rise to social media security alert:
*SERIOUS SECURITY ALERT*!!!
“By all means avoid driving around any part of D/LINE once it’s 7 pm, there is a new car theft gang that specializes in killing and making away with their victim’s cars, last week my friend Kalada Briggs was shot, thank God he survived it, but he is still in the hospital, just this evening another was rushed to the military hospital after being shot by the same gang, but unfortunately, he died before they got to the hospital”.
Our Correspondent reports that there was another there is also another post: “Please, take this information very seriously.
*Copied
“Please spread this information on all media. The situation is very serious in the D/line, GRA, Ada George Road, Rumuokwuta, Garrison, Ogbunabali, Rumuola, Rumuomasi, NTA, and other areas in Port Harcourt. I was a victim who narrowly escaped death by hair’s breadth and God’s intervention. The Government and all Security agencies must be called upon at this critical point to save the lives and properties of innocent and defenceless citizens to be protected. Don’t say it doesn’t concern you as nobody knows who is next. It’s happening on a daily and weekly basis. It’s very worrisome as both private car owners and public transport users are not spared.
“The criminals have devised means of demobilizing cars installed with trackers or killing their victims where they don’t succeed in moving away with the cars of their victims.
“Please let’s share this information to sensitise the populace until the government and security agencies wake up to their responsibilities. Security is the business of everyone. Let’s protect ourselves and our loved ones”.
However, at the time of filing this report Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko of the state Police command had not reacted to the killing of Asuru, John Okon, the auto-mechanic and alleged shooting of Kalada Briggs.
However, it would be noted that the State Command led by CP Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka organized a series of activities marking “Zero Crime Week” which included medical outreach, games, talk shows and sensitization of the members of the public on security awareness and the need for synergy with the Police to combat crime.
Ends
Picture caption:
Rowland Asuru, a Port Harcourt based Business man allegedly shot dead by suspected Carjackers at night on Tuesday October 10 in Port Harcourt.
(2) The red Golf wagon car inside which John Okon, the Auto-mechanic was shot dead in Abakiliki Axis by Nanka Street, Mile One Diobu, Port Harcourt,on Tuesday October 10.
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