Posted by From CHRIS AGUNWEZE, Bonny Island on
A landlord of Dutch oil giant, Shell in the highly volatile Cawthorne channel in Rivers State has been gruesomely murdered.
A landlord of Dutch oil giant, Shell in the highly volatile Cawthorne channel in Rivers State has been gruesomely murdered.
Chief Idalah Pollyn who was also a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart was murdered by unknown gunmen on Wednesday night in his village, Kalibiam, a satellite community of Bonny Kingdom.
Daily Sun gathered that Idala, who had many bodyguards for his personal security, left Bonny Island to his village, Kalibiama for a meeting on how a deceased relative would be buried. After the meeting Idala was said to have left his boys behind in Bonny and retired home.
At about 9.00p.m. someone was said to have invited the chief outside the house for a discussion. He came out and met gunmen who opened fire on him. It was gathered that Idala was shot several times on the head, while the gunmen left only after being sure he was dead.
The Divisional Police Officer, Bonny, Mr Aliu Garba (CSP) confirmed the killing but declined further comments.
Meanwhile, Kalibiama community has been deserted as residents fear that the killing may spark communal violence.
About two months ago, Idala contested PDP chairmanship primaries but lost to Mr. Edwin Pepple who eventually emerged chairman of the local government.
Super rich Idala Pollyn reportedly wrested a portion of the oil rich Cawthorne channel from some Kalabali communities in the area and assumed control over it.
The oil rich channel has been under serious contention by the Akuku-Toru, Degema, Asari-Toru and Bonny Local Government Areas, all in Rivers State. The development made the channel highly volatile.
On many occasions, militants had launched offensive there, soldiers were usually killed and expatriates taken hostage.