The Rivers State Police Command has apprehended Felix Nwaobakata, the commander of a local vigilante group, along with two human skulls and other human remains at his hideout in Omoku, the headquarters of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
According to The PUNCH, the arrest was confirmed by the State Police Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement released in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Additionally, the police have detained seven other members of the local security outfit on various charges, including murder, as part of a crackdown on vigilante groups’ misconduct.
Iringe-Koko revealed that Nwaobakata, who leads the ONELGA Security and Peace Advisory Committee, is a key suspect in the killing of two brothers in Idu, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni LGA, on May 1, 2024.
The brothers were accused of being kidnappers.
The statement highlighted that Nwaobakata’s arrest, along with other OSPAC members, followed numerous complaints about their activities, particularly in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA.
The vigilante group had recently attacked a police division in Omoku and clashed with other security forces.
“The Rivers State Police Command has commenced a clampdown on the excesses of vigilante groups operating within the state,” the statement began.
“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.”
Iringe-Koko also noted an incident reported on May 9, 2024, by Alhaji Usman Seleh, the Chairman of the Hausa Indigenous Group in ONELGA, who claimed that OSPAC had abducted one of his group members.
After reporting the matter to the police, Nwaobakata ignored several police invitations and instead coordinated an attack on the police division in Omoku, which was repelled by the police.
“In response, Tactical Units of the command stormed the ONELGA OSPAC Camp at Omoku and arrested Cheta Benjamin, Joshua Ekwosa, Innocent Ahiakwu, and four others,” the statement continued.
“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 police also identified Nwaobakata as a principal suspect in the murder of Collins Ugorji (32) and Newman Ugorji (39), brothers from Idu Community in ONELGA, killed on May 1, 2024, by OSPAC under the pretext that they were kidnappers.
Their motorcycles were confiscated, and their bodies were taken to the OSPAC secretariat in Omoku.
In a related incident, on May 3, 2024, youths from Egbeda Community in Emuoha LGA staged a peaceful protest at Lubrik Construction Company.
After dispersing from the protest, they were ambushed by OSPAC members led by Egbeda OSPAC Commander Friday Ogbuji, who shot and killed 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,” Iringe-Koko added.
Commissioner of Police Olatunji Disu urged residents with complaints of assault, extortion, or illegal detention to report to the nearest police station, emphasizing the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and not tolerating any illegal acts by OSPAC or any other vigilante group.
Disu acknowledged the importance of vigilante groups in community policing but stressed the need for continuous engagement and clear communication of their responsibilities and limitations.
