The Chairman of Eleme Local Government Council of Rivers State, Chief Oji Ngofa, has imposed a 10-hour curfew within Eleme metropolis.

Our reporter learnt that the curfew which begins at 9pm and ends 6am is part of efforts to check the spate of recent killings and threat to security within Eleme land.

Our investigation revealed that insecurity of lives had  heightened in recent times in Eleme with the latest killing of Mr Mike Ejire Kattey, a prominent youth leader of Aleto Community by yet to be identified gunmen

The late Mike Kattey family told our reporter that the yet to be indentified killers were over 15 in number, all dressed in black T-Shirts.

The elder brother of Mike Kattey said the men invaded the residence of his younger brother at about 1.am on the fateful day and broke into his house through the kitchen door and  shot him dead in the presence  of his wife.

He said the younger brother died on their way to Teme Hospital in Port Harcourt  that night.

Mr Kattey said that no single item was removed from  his late brother’s house by his killers.

There has been rising concern over insecurity in Eleme in the past weeks as prominent chiefs and other stakeholders call for the deployment of men of the Joint Military Task Force to Eleme.

Investigations further revealed that Mr Jonah Bode of Aleto community recently was shot by yet unknown persons during the burial of his step mother, late Chief Osila Bode.

The Tide gathered that Jonah is currently being treated at Teme Hospital for the gun shot injury.

Last Thursday, our reporter was informed that one Mr Promise Nwolu of Okerewa community was also shot by yet to be identified persons. He was rushed to Teme Hospital where he is currently receiving treatment.

All efforts to speak with the two victims proved abortive as family members told our reporter that they were having rest.

When our reporter visited the Eleme Council Headquarters last Friday, Ogale, he was directed to see the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the chairman, retired SSS personnel, Chief Wuwu Onungwe, who said the council chairman had reported the upsurge in criminal activities and crime rate to the appropriate authorities.

He further said that the council in partnership with the security agencies had put in place security measures to checkmate the rising crime rate in Eleme.

Onungwe said  “ the council’s chairman, as a responsible leader, has approved the immediate formation of vigilante groups to operate within the ten clans of Eleme.

The CSO said the curfew was to restrict movement for the security personnel to monitor events and not to intimidate any law-abiding citizen, adding that Eleme remained peaceful and safe to all Nigerians, including foreign investors.

When our reporter visited Eleme Divisional Police Headquarters, Ogale, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), SP Kayode Sinclair said the division had set up a crack team directly under his supervision and headed by one Inspector Saviour Etim to deal with the situation.

The DPO appealed to members of the public to give useful information to the police about any suspicious acts or movements in Eleme and communities within the local government area.