The hope of business
activities returning to normal in Ahoada East local government area of Rivers State in particular and the Orashi region in general, following the killing of an armed robbery kingpin in the area, known as General Igbudu and five others by the police recently, has been dashed.
According to investigations by our correspondent, the remaining members of the gang have resorted to brazen armed robbery which is reported almost every other day in Ahoada and its environs.
Our correspondent gathered that on every Ahoada market day, the suspected surviving followers of the dead gang leader arrive the market and loot indiscriminately from helpless traders and customers.
One of such traders, Miss Ego John who was robbed of two 25 litres jerry cans of palm oil and a number of plantain bunches last Ahoada market day while speaking to our correspondent said, “for now I will stop coming to Ahoada”
Further investigations by our correspondent revealed that the “boys”, as the hoodlums are popularly called, were expressing their anger over the celebrations that greeted the killing of their gang leader and other colleagues.
When our correspondent went round, some shops that were opened shortly after the killing have again been shut.
A clothe seller, Mr Linus Uchendu, who spoke to our correspondent said he was relocating to Yenagoa along with his family.
Other landlords and tenants who spoke expressed worry over the turn of events.
For Madam Salome Ogboka, a fish seller who has recorded a number of losses over the activities of the hoodlums said the situation could have been managed if they appeal for help rather than threatening traders with dangerous weapons.
It could be recalled that the slain leader of the Ekpeye Vigilante group, Mr Pius Ukachukwu in an interview with our correspondent vowed to stop the group, led by Igbudu.
Unfortunately, he was allegedly killed by Igbudu last October, the same day he spoke to our correspondent and vowed to lay down his life for peace to reign in Ekpeyeland and the Orashi region as a whole.
However, the present chairman of the Ekpeye vigilante group, Mr Progress Dickson while speaking to our correspondent on phone expressed the hope that the negative effect on business activities in the area would soon be a thing of the past.
While admitting the decline in business activities in the area, he claimed that any group of trouble makers would be done away with, soon.
“In less than one week from now, there will be no more looting, robbery and killing in Ahoada:, he boasted.
He equally denied the rumour making the rounds that the Ekpeye vigilante group has been disbanded.
“Ekpeye people are not fools to do such a dangerous thing” he said.
It would be recalled that Dickson and his group paraded the streets of Ahoada in jubilation shortly after news of the death of Igbudu was confirmed, a celebration which our correspondent gathered, angered the Igbudu camp.