Gunmen Kill Another Chief Security Officer In Rivers

• Suspected gunmen shot dead Khana Local Government Chief Security Officer, Letam Kine, in a brazen evening attack on Polytechnic Road in Bori, triggering panic and forcing residents and traders to flee.

• The killing came less than a week after gunmen murdered OSPAC Omoku Zone Commander, Comrade Ozoemela Stephen Wokocha, and three women in ONELGA, raising fresh fears over escalating violence in Rivers State.

• Khana Local Government Chairman, Chief Dr Thomas Bariere, condemned the attack, warning that recurring killings point to the activities of armed criminal gangs determined to destabilise the area.

• Rivers State Police confirmed that a full-scale investigation has commenced, with the victim’s body deposited in a mortuary for autopsy as detectives begin efforts to track down the assailants.

July 27, () — Less than a week after suspected gunmen killed an Onelga Security Peace and Advisory Committee (OSPAC) commander in Rivers State, another local government security chief has been murdered, deepening concerns over a fresh wave of violent attacks across the state.

The latest victim, Letam Kine, the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Khana Local Government Area, was shot dead on Sunday evening by yet-to-be-identified gunmen along Polytechnic Road in Bori, the headquarters of Khana LGA.

The attack, which occurred at about 6:00 p.m., sent residents, motorists and passers-by fleeing for safety as gunshots echoed through the area. Business activities were abruptly disrupted as traders hurriedly closed their shops over fears of further violence.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants fled immediately after carrying out the attack before security operatives arrived at the scene. The motive behind the killing was not immediately known.

Council Chairman Condemns Murder

Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Chief Dr Thomas Bariere, condemned the killing, describing it as a senseless act of violence and a painful loss to the council.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Press and Public Communications, Barry Neemana, the council boss said Kine was a committed public servant who discharged his duties with courage and dedication.

Bariere noted that the attack came barely weeks after the killing of Clement Deegbara of Kpong Community, warning that the repeated incidents pointed to the activities of armed criminal gangs determined to undermine peace and security in Khana.

He called on security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering and security operations across the local government to ensure that those behind the killing are swiftly identified, arrested and prosecuted.

Bariere also extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, praying that they receive divine strength to bear the loss. He urged residents to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding while supporting security agencies with credible intelligence capable of preventing further attacks.

The chairman reaffirmed that the protection of lives and property remains the foremost responsibility of his administration, pledging continued collaboration with security agencies to safeguard communities across Khana.

Police Launch Investigation

Confirming the incident on Monday, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, ASP Blessing Agabe Kaborlo, said the command had commenced a full-scale investigation into the killing. She disclosed that the victim’s body had been deposited in a mortuary for preservation and autopsy, while detectives had begun efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.

Kaborlo said although members of the deceased’s family had yet to lodge a formal complaint, they had been advised to do so to facilitate ongoing investigations and the prompt administration of justice. She assured residents that the command remained committed to ensuring that all those connected with the murder are identified, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Second Security Chief Killed Within Days

The killing of Kine marks the second fatal attack on a local government security chief in Rivers State within days, raising fresh questions about the worsening security situation across several parts of the state.

Last Tuesday, suspected gunmen killed the Omoku Zone Commander of the Onelga Security Peace and Advisory Committee (OSPAC), Comrade Ozoemela Stephen Wokocha, during a deadly attack in Omoku, the headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA).

Three women were also killed in that attack, which sparked widespread grief and renewed calls for stronger security measures to stem the activities of armed gangs operating in the area.

The latest attack has also revived memories of the recent killing of Clement Deegbara of Kpong Community in Khana, reinforcing fears that violent criminal groups may be escalating their operations in parts of Rivers State.