The community of Obelle in Emohua Local Government Area, Rivers State, is grieving yet another tragic loss. Chief Ferdinand Dabiri, the respected Vice Chairman of the Obelle Council of Chiefs, was gunned down in broad daylight while attending a meeting of elders at Omuwoka village on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
The killing, believed to be cult-related, has plunged the quiet village into shock and mourning — the latest casualty in a cycle of violence that has gripped Obelle for over a year.
“He was shot twice, point blank”
Speaking to Channels Television, Chief Dabiri’s son, Joseph Eze Dabiri, recounted the moment he got the call that changed his life forever.
“I heard that a guy came with a gun while my father was in a meeting at Omuwoka, shot at him twice and fled,” he said over the phone, his voice heavy with grief.
Eyewitnesses say the killer arrived on a motorbike alongside other suspected cult members. Without uttering a word, the attacker reportedly walked straight up to Chief Dabiri, pulled out a pistol, and shot him at close range — twice.
Before leaving, the assailant allegedly checked to confirm the chief was dead, then calmly made his escape while chaos erupted among the other chiefs present. The scene quickly descended into pandemonium, with local elders fleeing for safety as fear spread like wildfire.
A Community Living in Fear
By nightfall, fear had gripped the heart of Obelle. Some residents began fleeing the area, anticipating possible reprisal attacks or continued violence. The community, which has already endured a string of cult-related killings in the past year, is once again on edge.
The killing of Chief Dabiri has sparked renewed outrage and despair among locals, who now question whether anyone — not even their revered traditional leaders — is safe.
A Pattern of Bloodshed
The murder has chilling echoes of another unresolved tragedy in Obelle. On November 4, 2024, Akpata Amadi, a vigilante group member, was also killed — allegedly by the same cult leader. His daughter, Miss Loveth Amadi, led a protest to the Rumuji Police Division just days later, accusing authorities of shielding the suspects and demanding justice.
Despite the public outcry, no visible justice has been served, and the killings continue.
A Cry for Justice
Joseph Dabiri, like many others in Obelle, is now pleading with the government and security agencies to act swiftly.
“We need justice, not just for my father, but for all those who have died in this madness,” he said.
So far, the matter has been reported to the Rumuji Police Division, but locals remain skeptical about whether the authorities will truly intervene to end the reign of fear.
Who Will Save Obelle?
For many in Obelle, the future feels uncertain. A village once known for its communal harmony is now becoming synonymous with fear, silence, and bloodshed.
Until those responsible are brought to book, and proactive measures are taken to dismantle the cult networks terrorizing the area, residents say they are left to mourn their dead — and wonder who’s next.
