Community uncovers seven corpses in Rivers’ pit

At least seven dead bodies were on Monday morning discovered inside a pit at Obibi community in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The corpses, which were already decomposing, were discovered by a man who was on his way to his farm.

A community source, who simply identified himself as Emmanuel, related the development.

He explained that the farmer perceived an offensive odour in the bush and traced its source.

He later discovered several dead bodies in an abandoned pit in the area.

Emmanuel said that following the discovery, there was anxiety in the community as of the time of filing this report.

He said that the identities of the corpses were unknown.

But the community source alleged that the unidentified bodies were discovered after a fresh violence that broke up in the area last Friday.

Emmanuel further revealed that the killings were thought to be related to cult violence, allegedly believed to be motivated by political rivalry in Rivers State.

He said, “A man, who was going to the farm on Monday saw the corpses in the pit. When he brought the report home, some youths went to trace it too.

“When the youths got there, they discovered that the report was true. Over seven dead bodies of young men were uncovered. They were already smelling. There is fear in the community now because nobody knows what will happen next.

But a source in the community who did not want his name mention said that the corpses were brought from one of the neighbouring states and thrown into the abandoned pit.

Reacting, the Rivers State Police Command said it was aware of the development.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Muhammad said, “We are aware of it. We have sent our men to the place and we saw the dead bodies and investigation has started.”