Tension has gripped Finima Community in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State following an early-morning attack by gunmen who reportedly stormed the residence of the Amadabo of Finima, Aseme Alabo Dagogo Lambert Brown.
The attack, which occurred at about 3am on Saturday, reportedly threw the community into panic, with the assailants also targeting the residence of another resident, Alabo Tuwonimi.
A source in the community further disclosed that an indigene identified as Ibiwari Brown sustained a severe injury during the incident, with his hand allegedly severed by the attackers.
The development has heightened fears of further violence in Finima, which hosts the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) complex, amid an ongoing dispute involving traditional institutions and chieftaincy interests in the community.
Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Amasenibo Hon. Abinye Blessing Pepple, directed the immediate suspension of all events and cultural activities in Finima.
Pepple issued the directive during an on-the-spot assessment of the situation in the community, where he expressed grave concern over the violence and assured residents that necessary measures were being taken to restore and sustain peace.
The council chairman strongly condemned the attack and warned that any attempt by individuals or groups to undermine the security architecture of Bonny Local Government Area would be firmly resisted.
He said all persons found responsible for the attack would be identified and brought to justice, stressing that acts capable of threatening the peace, security and safety of residents would not be tolerated.
Pepple also commended security agencies for their swift and professional response, noting that their intervention contributed significantly to bringing the situation under control.
He maintained that no individual, regardless of status or position, would be allowed to undermine the peace and stability of Bonny Local Government Area.
“Consequently, all security agencies have been duly notified of the directive suspending all events and cultural activities in Finima Community. Any person or group that disregards this directive will be arrested accordingly,” he stated.
The chairman urged residents of Finima and the wider Bonny Local Government Area to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding, assuring them that the security situation was being closely monitored.
Ruling House Raises Alarm Over Alleged ‘Invasion’
Meanwhile, the Buoye Omuso Brown Founding and Ruling House of Finima has called for urgent intervention by security agencies, the Rivers State Government and other relevant authorities to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
In a statement titled “SOS on Looming Invasion of Finima to Unleash Anarchy”, signed by its Administrative Secretary, Amasenibo Vivian Daps Brown, the Amadabo-in-Council raised concerns over alleged moves by the Bonny Chiefs Council, led by Se-Alabo (Amb.) Dagogo Soala Claude-Wilcox, to support a faction of the Tobin Chieftaincy House.
The ruling house alleged that the development could trigger unrest and threaten peace in Finima, particularly in connection with activities scheduled for August 22 and October 31, 2026.
It said its concerns followed a statement allegedly issued by the Bonny Chiefs Council on August 17, 2026, which it claimed could lead to actions capable of threatening the stability of the community.
The Amadabo-in-Council recalled that the latest dispute dates back to 2024, when a faction of the Tobin Chieftaincy House, led by Dagogo Joseph Tobin, reportedly initiated moves to establish what it described as the “Tobin House Owu-ogbo”, based on claims of ownership of Finima.
The ruling house rejected the move, maintaining that the history and origin of Finima were well established and had been validated by courts of competent jurisdiction.
It insisted that historical facts should not be manipulated for personal or political interests.
According to the statement, Finima had traditionally operated as one united community with common socio-cultural institutions, including a single Opu-ogbo, Nwantam Society and Okonko Club.
The Amadabo-in-Council said the institutions had historically served as symbols of unity among the various chieftaincy houses, noting that respected leaders from the Tobin House had participated in them without creating parallel structures.
It further expressed concern over alleged intelligence reports indicating that the proposed “Tobin House Owu-ogbo” could be used to deepen divisions within the community.
The ruling house also alleged that unknown individuals were being moved into Finima with the intention of causing what it described as “premeditated mayhem” against residents.
It warned that any breakdown of law and order could have wider implications because of Finima’s strategic importance to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry and its proximity to the NLNG complex.
“Having already borne the burden of relocation and environmental challenges arising from the establishment of the Nigeria LNG plant, the people of Finima should not be subjected to further instability,” the statement said.
The ruling house reaffirmed its commitment to peace, unity and reconciliation, while opposing the creation or recognition of parallel institutions that it said could undermine established communal structures.
It subsequently appealed to the Nigeria Police Force, other security agencies, the Rivers State Government and relevant authorities to urgently assess the situation and take lawful preventive measures to forestall any further breach of peace in Finima and surrounding settlements.
“Finima remains a law-abiding Community determined to protect its stability and progress,” the statement added.
As of the time of filing this report, the Rivers State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the reported attack.
Authorities are expected to intensify security measures in the community as efforts continue to prevent further violence and address the underlying chieftaincy dispute.
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