A well-known Port Harcourt event planner, Mina Orupabo, has reportedly been shot dead by unknown gunmen, sending shockwaves through Rivers State’s entertainment and hospitality community.

Orupabo, the CEO of Special Bensington Ushers, was said to be on her way to an event hall for a pre-event inspection when she was attacked. The incident occurred along Total Gospel Road, off Peter Odili Road in Port Harcourt, an area that hosts a mix of residential properties, businesses and event venues.

Sources familiar with the incident said Orupabo was in a vehicle with her driver and at least one other occupant when armed men intercepted them and opened fire. The driver and the other passenger reportedly managed to flee the scene, escaping the hail of bullets that fatally wounded the event planner.

Eyewitnesses in the area said they heard multiple gunshots and later saw residents rushing to the scene as the attackers sped away. Orupabo was quickly evacuated and taken to a nearby hospital, where medical personnel battled to save her life.

Despite efforts by doctors, she succumbed to her injuries, plunging her family, colleagues and clients into mourning. News of her death spread rapidly across social media, with friends and associates describing her as a hardworking professional who had built a strong reputation in the city’s booming events industry.

Special Bensington Ushers, the company she founded and led, had become a familiar presence at high-profile weddings, corporate functions and social gatherings in Port Harcourt and beyond. Many in the industry credit her with raising standards for ushering and event coordination services in the region.

As of the time of this report, there has been no official statement from the Rivers State Police Command on the circumstances of the attack, possible motives or any arrests. Residents in the area have expressed concern over what they describe as recurring incidents of violent crime and are calling for increased security patrols and a thorough investigation.

Colleagues in the events and hospitality sector are also urging authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice, warning that unchecked violence threatens not only individual lives but also the broader business environment in Port Harcourt.