The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a legal practitioner, Barrister Akpudi Ikechukwu, in connection with a shooting that occurred during a masquerade outing in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state, resulting in one death and injuries to eight others.
The incident, which happened in the early hours of Monday along Sambo Street, reportedly followed a confrontation between youths participating in the masquerade display, the lawyer, and personnel of the Nigeria Forest Guards Security Service.
Confirming the development in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the clash escalated and led to gunshots being fired, leaving several casualties.
She disclosed that nine members of the masquerade group sustained gunshot injuries during the incident, adding that one of them, identified simply as Obulo, was later confirmed dead at a hospital in Omoku.
The remaining eight victims, she said, are currently receiving medical attention.
According to the police spokesperson, a report was received by the Omoku Police Division around 7am on Monday, indicating that the shooting occurred at about 1.30am while the masquerade procession was ongoing in the area.
Iringe-Koko stated that Barrister Ikechukwu and two other suspects linked to the incident were immediately arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation
Department for a thorough investigation.
She added that preliminary inquiries were ongoing to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the shooting and to determine the level of involvement and culpability of all parties.
To forestall a breakdown of law and order, the police said the Area Commander had engaged aggrieved youths in the community, while a joint security patrol comprising police and military personnel had been deployed to the area.
“The Rivers State Police Command assures the public that the investigation will be comprehensive and that anyone found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the statement said.