Police move against vigilante groups in Rivers, arrest commander with human parts

Operatives of Police Command in Rivers State have launched a clampdown on a vigilante group known ONELGA Security and Peace Advisory Committee (OSPAC).

The move is in a bid to curb the excesses of vigilante groups operating in the state. The command noted that the development followed numerous complaints about the group’s activities in Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema LGA (ONELGA) and clashes with other security agencies.

Confirming the development yesterday, spokesperson for the command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the action followed a report from Alhaji Usman Saleh, Chairman of the Hausa Indigenous Group in ONELGA, who alleged that OSPAC abducted a member of his group on May 9.

She noted that despite multiple invitations to the OSPAC Commander, Felix Nwaobakata, he refused to cooperate with the police, instead, the OSPAC outfit coordinated an attack on the Police Division in Omoku.

Iringe-Koko added that the attack was repelled, and tactical units subsequently stormed the ONELGA OSPAC camp, arresting seven individuals, including Cheta Benjamin, Joshua Ekwosa, and Innocent Ahiakwu. She noted that Felix Nwaobakata was arrested on June 17, in possession of two human skulls and bones.

According to her, Nwaobakata is also a principal suspect in the murder of two brothers, Collins and Newman Ugorji, who were killed by OSPAC on May 1.

She said: “On May 9, Alhaji Usman Saleh, the Chairman of the Hausa Indigenous Group in ONELGA, reported that OSPAC abducted a member of his group. He proceeded to report the matter to the police.

“The ONELGA OSPAC Commander, Felix Nwaobakata, was subsequently arrested in his hideout in Omoku on June 17, 2023, where two human skulls and human bones were found in his possession.

“Nwaobakata is also a principal suspect in the murder of two brothers, Collins Ugorji, 32, and Newman Ugorji, 39, of Idu Community in ONELGA. The brothers were killed on May 1, by OSPAC on the allegation that they were kidnappers.

“Their motorcycles were confiscated, and their bodies were taken to the OSPAC Secretariat in Omoku and received by Felix Nwaobakata. The bodies of the brothers were not seen, and the investigation is ongoing.”

Also, Iringe-Koko said that on May 31, a group of OSPAC members, led by the Egbeda OSPAC Commander, Friday Ogbuji, shot and killed Innocent Didia, the youth leader of Egbeda Community in Emuoha Local Council.

According to her, the group ambushed some youths after they had staged a peaceful protest to Lubrik Construction Company (LCC) at Egbeda, and were addressed by the police.

MEANWHILE, the Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, advised residents to report any complaints of assault, extortion, or illegal detention to the nearest police station.

The Commissioner, who reassured the public of its commitment to protecting life and property, said he would not tolerate any act of illegality by vigilante groups.

He also assured the public that the police are working to ensure that vigilante groups operate within the scope of the law, and respect the rights of all individuals as enshrined in the Constitution.