Bloodbath in Rivers as gunmen kill Vigilante Commander, three women

By Desmond Ejibas

The Rivers State Police Command has launched a manhunt for gunmen who killed the Omoku Zonal Commander of the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Security Planning and Advisory Committee (OSPAC), Mr Ozemela Nwaocha, and three women in a deadly attack in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.

Police spokesperson, ASP Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the incident on Wednesday, described the killings as unfortunate and assured residents that those behind the attack would be tracked down and prosecuted.

She said preliminary investigations indicated that the assailants ambushed Nwaocha near his residence and opened fire on him and three women who were in his company.

“The Rivers State Police Command is aware of this unfortunate incident and is deeply saddened by it. The command condemns this act in its entirety and assures the public that the perpetrators will be brought to justice,” she said.

According to the police, a full-scale investigation has commenced, while residents have been urged to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in identifying and arresting the attackers.

Providing further details, OSPAC spokesman Nkem Godknows said the attack occurred on Tuesday evening in what he described as a “Gestapo-style operation.”

He alleged that the gunmen repeatedly shot the vigilante commander before killing his sister and two other women who were with him.

Godknows added that two other persons sustained gunshot injuries during the attack and are currently receiving treatment in hospital.

“The gunmen also killed Nwaocha’s sister and two other women. Two other persons within the premises sustained gunshot wounds and are receiving treatment,” he said.

He noted that the incident was immediately reported to the police and expressed confidence that the perpetrators would eventually be arrested.

The OSPAC spokesman urged residents to remain calm, saying security agencies and local vigilante groups had intensified efforts to maintain peace and prevent further attacks in the area.

He also appealed to the Rivers State Government and other stakeholders to provide greater support for members of the vigilante organisation, lamenting that many operate under difficult conditions without financial assistance.

According to him, OSPAC operatives receive little or no remuneration despite the risks involved in protecting their communities.

“We are not adequately catered for and receive little or no encouragement to perform our duties. We are not paid, and most of us have no reliable source of income. We appeal for support to enable us to carry out our responsibilities more effectively,” he said.

Meanwhile, security has been reinforced in Omoku, with combined teams of police and other security agencies conducting intensive patrols to maintain law and order as investigations continue into the killings.