Wednesday, July 3, 2024 -The Rivers State Police Command has arrested the commander of a local vigilante group with two human skulls and other parts at his hideout in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of the state.
Felix Nwaobakata, the leader of the
local vigilante group was arrested with seven other members of the security
outfit for several crimes, including murder in a clampdown on the excesses of
vigilante groups operating in the state.
The Spokesperson for the State Police
Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port
Harcourt, on Wednesday, July 3.
Iringe-Koko said Nwaobakata, who is the
Commander of the ONELGA Security and Peace Advisory Committee codenamed OSPAC
was a principal suspect in the murder of two brothers in Idu in
Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni LGA of the state on May 1, 2024, on the allegations that they
were kidnappers.
The statement noted the arrest of Nwaobakata and other OSPAC members followed
numerous complaints about their operations in different parts of the state,
especially in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LG, saying the operatives of the outfit
recently attacked a police division in Omoku and clashed with other security
agencies.
The statement read, “The Rivers State Police
Command has commenced a clampdown on the excesses of vigilante groups operating
within the state.
“This follows numerous complaints about the
operations of the ONELGA Security and Peace Advisory Committee in different
parts of the State, predominantly in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, as well as clashes
with other Security Agencies by this Vigilante Group.
“On May 9, 2024, Alhaji Usman Seleh, the Chairman of the Hausa Indigenous Group
in ONELGA, reported that OSPAC had abducted a member of his group. He proceeded
to report the matter to the police. Consequently, the police invited the ONELGA
OSPAC Commander, Felix Nwaobakata, who refused to honour several invitations.
“Instead, the OSPAC outfit coordinated an
attack on the police division in Omoku but the attack was thwarted as the
police repelled them.
“Following this development, Tactical Units
of the command stormed the ONELGA OSPAC Camp at Omoku and arrested Cheta
Benjamin, Joshua Ekwosa, Innocent Ahiakwu, and four others.
“The ONELGA OSPAC Commander, Felix Nwaobakata, was subsequently arrested in his
hideout in Omoku on June 17, 2024, where two human skulls and human bones were
found in his possession.
“The arrested OSPAC Commander, Felix
Nwaobakata, is also a principal suspect in the murder of two brothers, Collins
Ugorji (32) and Newman Ugorji (39), of the Idu Community in ONELGA.”
The brothers were said to have been killed
on May 1, 2024, by the OSPAC on the allegation that they were kidnappers.
Their motorcycles were reportedly
confiscated, and their bodies were taken to the OSPAC secretariat in Omoku.
In another related incident, the state
police spokesperson said, “On May 3, 2024, the Youths of Egbeda Community in
Emuoha LGA staged a peaceful protest to Lubrik Construction Company at Egbeda,
and after being addressed by the Police, they dispersed but were ambushed by a
group of OSPAC members led by the Egbeda OSPAC Commander, Friday Ogbuji, who
shot and killed the Youth Leader, Innocent Didia.
“The Rivers State Police Command has made further arrests and will continue to
investigate these cases and other related ones, which will then be charged to a
Court of competent Jurisdiction.
“The Rivers State Commissioner of Police,
Olatunji Disu has advised that any resident who has complaints of assault,
extortion, or illegal detention should make a report at the nearest police
station.“
The Rivers State Command is committed to
carrying out its duty of protecting lives and property. It will not tolerate
any act of illegality, excessive use of force, torture, fraudulent conversion
of properties, and other varying forms of criminality by the OSPAC or any other
vigilante outfit.”
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