On Saturday, In Finapiri Ama (Amauda) village in Banigo Ishilegono community in Bonny Local Government Area, Rivers State, during the burial ceremony of an elder statesman identified as Late Amaopusenibo Kenneth Miebaradima Kalada Banigo, unknown gunmen arrived at the ceremony shooting at guests.
The gunmen who shot sporadically at the guests left some injured and abducted some guests also including politicians.
According to reports, Hon. Miriam Hart, Local Govt chairman, PDP Chairman is currently battling for survival at an undisclosed hospital following the attack while four persons were whisked away by the gunmen.
The gunmen left the scene with some captives. However, some high-profile guests, who were in attendance such as the Chairman of Bonny Local Government, David Rogers Irimagha, lawmaker representing Bonny Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Abinye Blessing Pepple, and People’s Democratic Party, PDP Chairman, Daniel Tamunoopudo Buruwi Wilcox, escaped by luck.
Other survivors include the Deputy Leader of the 8th Assembly, Hon. Dipinye Jumbo, the Chief Whip of the 8th Assembly, Hon. Fiberesima Pepple, councillor representing Ward 2, Hon. Kingston Robert Hart,party faithfuls, family members and guests.
One Sunny Hart, Allison and Theophilus were named among the abducted victims. A source said that Sunny is the husband of the first daughter of the deceased, who is a Senior Magistrate with the Rivers State Judiciary.
In a statement released by Kingsley Jumbo, Special Assistant to the Chairman on Media and Publicity, it read:
“The unfortunate incident happened at Finapiri Ama (Amauda) village in Banigo Ishilegono where they attended the burial ceremony of an elder statesman in Bonny Kingdom, Late Amaopusenibo Kenneth Miebaradima Kalada Banigo when masked gunmen arrived and began shooting sporadically from the jetty.”
