Police Arrest OSPAC Vigilance Leader With Human Remains in Rivers
From ERIC MOORE, Port Harcourt
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested the leader of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) Security and Peace Advisory Committee (OSPAC), Felix Nwaobakata, with human remains.
The command said it has commenced a clampdown on the excesses of vigilance groups operating within the State, adding that OSPAC commander was the prime suspect in the killing of two brothers in Idu community in ONELGA.
State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police (SP), in a statement released to journalists in Port Harcourt, on Wednesday, said the Command had received several complaints about the activities of local vigilance groups, particularly OSPAC.
She stated: “This follows numerous complaints about the operations of the ONELGA Security and Peace Advisory Committee (OSPAC) in different parts of the State, predominantly in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), 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.”
According to the PPRO, following the development, Tactical Units of the Command stormed the ONELGA OSPAC Camp in Omoku and arrested seven persons, who are Cheta Benjamin, Joshua Ekwosa, Innocent Ahiakwu, and four others.
She continued: “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 killed on May 1st, 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 Felix Nwaobakata after residents lamented their criminal actions. The bodies of the brothers were not seen, and the investigation is ongoing.”
The PPRO added that OSPAC members led the Egbeda OSPAC Commander, Friday Ogbuji, who shot and killed the youth leader, Innocent Didia.
She said: “In another related incident, on May 31, 2024, the youths of Egbeda Community in Emuoha LGA staged a peaceful protest 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.”
Iringe-Koko added that the Command has made further arrests and will continue to investigate the cases and other related ones, which would then be charged to a court of competent jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP 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.
He said the Command is committed to carrying out its duty of protecting lives and property, adding that Police will not tolerate any criminal act in whatever guise.
He said: “It (Command) 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 recognizing 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 synergizing with these groups on what is expected of them and their limitations. The rights of all as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) 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.”