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Gunmen suspected to be cultists on Tuesday invaded the Ubeta community in the Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State and set ablaze the residence of the traditional ruler, Chief Million Jonathan.

The monarch, while confirming the incident to journalists on Wednesday, said property worth millions of naira were burnt in the attack.

The development came about three weeks after suspected cultists invaded the same community, killed three residents and abducted two shop owners.

“These boys have guns and other weapons like axes. They burnt down the chief’s house and left. The shout woke people that were sleeping and some ran into the bush due to fear,” a resident, who did not want his name in print for fear of victimisation, said.

Speaking to journalists on the incident, the monarch said the attack was masterminded by armed gangs who have been terrorising the community for months.

Jonathan said the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.

He said, “Around 2.57am, my wife called me that some boys have set fire to my compound. She was shouting and had to run away.