Ateke Tom escapes assassination in Rivers

One person has been killed following an alleged attempt by some unknown gunmen to assassinate the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom in Okirika Local Government Area of Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, King Ateke Tom.

It was gathered that Ateke, an ex-Niger Delta freedom fighter, had visited Amadi-Ama in Port Harcourt for a traditional function when some armed youths stormed the area and shot sporadically in the direction where Ateke was.

However, Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, while confirming the incident, condemned the assassination attempt on Ateke, noting that the incident was capable of igniting fresh crisis in the region.

In a statement Wednesday in Port Harcourt, Comrade Samuel George, the Chairman of the Eastern Zone of the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, pointed out that the Ijaw leaders were not happy over the development intended to take the life of the Amanyanabo.

George said: “We condemn the assassination attempt on the life of a prominent King of Ijaw land, HRM, King Ateke Tom. The leaders of Ijaw frown at it because it is capable of causing fresh crisis in the South-South region if not the peaceful disposition exhibited by the Okochiri monarch.”

“The Ijaws observed that attacks on King Ateke is one too many on the traditional institutions of the Ijaw nation. One a different occasion that Amanyanabo of Kalabari and Bonny monarch suffered similar attacks. These attacks are uncivilised and a calculated attempt to cause crisis in Ijaw nation,” George stated.

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