Rivers State Police Command has recovered human parts from a detained vigilance group leader. This followed its clampdown on cult groups.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), S.P. Grace Iringe-Koko, said there had been complaints about the operations of the ONELGA Security and Peace Advisory Committee (OSPAC) in various parts of the state, especially in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), as well as clashes with other security agencies by the vigilante group.
She said the development had led to the arrest of the ONELGA OSPAC Commander, Felix Nwaobakata, with human parts.
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In a statement, she said: “On May 9, 2024, Alhaji Usman Seleh, the Chairman, 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.’’
“Nwaobakata, was subsequently arrested in his hideout in Omoku on June 17, 2024, where two human skulls and bones were found in his possession.
The statement said Nwaobakata was 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 killed on May 1, 2024, by the 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 Nwaobakata after residents lamented their criminal actions. The bodies of the brothers were not seen, and the investigation is ongoing,” he added.
The police said on May 31, this year, the Youth of Egbeda Community in Emuoha LGA protested to Lubrik Construction Company (LCC) 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 statement added: “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 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.
“While recognising the relevance and importance of these vigilante groups in the Community Policing System, with regards to information gathering and visibility, among others, the Command will keep engaging and synergising with these groups on what is expected of them and their limitations.The rights of all as enshrined in the Constitution as amended must be respected.
“The Rivers State Command wants to reassure the public and all key stakeholders that it will continue to work within the ambit of the law and issue a stern warning to any individual or group who chooses to operate outside the scope of the law.”