Death toll in the New Year massacre in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government area of Rivers State has risen to twenty one.

Reacting, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA Dakuku Peterside sympathized with the families of the deceased.

He said it was another set of death too many in a local government area that was held hostage by cult groups claiming supremacy and allegedly enjoying support from some politicians.

The NIMASA boss stated that the latest killings had once again exposed the lack of capacity and competence on the part of Governor Nyesom Wike to provide adequate security for Rivers people.

He regretted that while other parts of the state were in celebratory mood, the people of ONELGA were mourning the passing away of their beloved in the most gruesome manner.

“My heart goes the people of ONELGA and the immediate families of the deceased. This is an act that must be condemned. The good people of Omoku have suffered enough and this has dealt a further blow on their sufferings.

“I have said it time and again that Governor Wike lacks the capacity and competence to guarantee the safety and security of Rivers people. It is unfortunate that over 1,000 persons have been killed in questionable circumstances in the last two years under his watch. He should stop playing politics with the lives of Rivers people and face governance.

“Since the governor is not rising to the occasion to show competence, we will henceforth partner with all relevant security agencies to bring peace, law and order to ONELGA and other parts of Rivers State.

“This is indeed a sad day for the people of ONELGA and the only way we can assuage their feelings is to ensure that this does not happen again. Governor Wike can rise above his partisan politics and display the hallmark of a statesman by openly condemning this murderous act and stop at nothing to arrest the criminals,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command said it was yet to ascertain the number of casualties, Spokesman of the Command, Nnamdi Omoni said the police were on top of the situation.

However, the authorities of ONELGA has confirmed the figures with the Council Chairman, Osi Olisah informing DAILY POST that ex Niger-Delta agitator, Johnson Igwedibia popularly called DonWanny led the attack.

Olisah also disclosed that a member of the Local vigilante and the son of the Paramount Ruler of Ego land were also killed in the attack.

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