Assassination of Chief Ferdinand Dabiri Sparks Fear in Obelle Community

On Saturday, July 19, 2025, Chief Ferdinand Dabiri, Vice Chairman of the Obelle Council of Chiefs in Emohua Local Government Area, Rivers State, was fatally shot by suspected cultists during a meeting of local chiefs in Omuwoka village.

The brazen attack, which occurred in broad daylight, has plunged the community into mourning and heightened fears over escalating cult-related violence.

Joseph Eze Dabiri, the second son of the deceased, confirmed the tragic incident in a telephone interview with Channels Television on Sunday, July 20, 2025. “I heard that a guy came with a gun while my father was in a meeting at Omuwoka village in Obelle, shot at him twice, and fled,” Joseph recounted. He noted that the matter has been reported to the Rumuji Police Division and appealed to authorities to deliver justice for his father’s murder.

Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as suspected cult members, arriving on motorbikes, stormed the gathering. The assailant, identified as a cult leader, reportedly approached Chief Dabiri, fired two close-range shots, confirmed his death, and fled. The sudden violence triggered panic, with other chiefs and attendees scattering for safety. By nightfall, reports emerged of residents fleeing Obelle, fearing further attacks.

This killing follows a disturbing pattern of cult-related violence in the community. On November 4, 2024, Akpata Amadi, a member of a local vigilante group, was murdered, allegedly by the same cult leader. On November 15, 2024, Akpata’s daughter, Miss Loveth Amadi, led a protest to the Rumuji Police Division, demanding justice for her father’s death. The recurrence of such incidents underscores a growing security crisis in Obelle, with residents now urging immediate intervention to curb the bloodshed.

The assassination of Chief Dabiri has amplified concerns about the resurgence of cultism in the region, prompting calls for robust security measures to protect lives and restore stability.

The Rumuji Police Division is investigating, but no arrests have been made as the suspect remains at large. Authorities face mounting pressure to address the escalating threat and bring perpetrators to justice, as the community grapples with grief and fear.