Gunmen suspected to be cultists have killed the zonal commander of the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area Security Planning and Advisory Committee (OSPAC), Ozomela Stephen Nwaocha, along with three women in Omoku, the headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The attack occurred on Tuesday evening while the vigilante commander was relaxing outside his residence on Oba Road with the women, one of whom was his sister.
Sources said the assailants opened fire on the group, killing Nwaocha and the three women on the spot. Two other persons sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to hospital for treatment.
Residents believe the attack may have been a reprisal linked to a violent community dispute. A source said a youth meeting was disrupted earlier on Tuesday after armed security personnel and OSPAC members allegedly stormed the venue and opened fire, leaving two youths with gunshot injuries.
Videos from the scene, which circulated on social media and were seen by our correspondent, showed the bodies of the victims lying on the ground as grieving residents, believed to be relatives, wailed while others rushed the injured into a vehicle.
The incident reportedly triggered panic across Omoku, forcing many residents to flee to neighbouring communities, while markets and businesses remained shut.
“As I speak to you, many businesses and markets have remained shut since Tuesday. Many residents have also fled to neighbouring communities for safety because of fear. There is serious panic here,” a resident, who requested anonymity, said.
Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of OSPAC in Rivers State, Nkem Godknows, said the attack happened around 5:05 p.m. on Tuesday while the commander was seated with his sister and another woman near his residence.
“It was about 5:05 p.m. Our commander was hanging out with his sister and friend around his neighbourhood. Before you know it, the gunmen got there and shot him dead.
“There are three women that died on the spot, while two others are in the hospital with bullet wounds.
“We reported the incident to the police immediately. I call on the people of Omoku and ONELGA to remain calm. Nobody should panic. By God’s grace, OSPAC and the security agencies are on top of the matter,” he said.
Godknows also appealed to the government to provide better support for members of the local security outfit, lamenting that they receive no salaries or financial assistance.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko Agabe, confirmed the attack and described it as a setback to the relative peace being enjoyed in the state.
She said the command strongly condemned the killings and assured residents that efforts were underway to apprehend those responsible.
“The Rivers State Police Command is saddened by this incident, which has disturbed the relative peace being enjoyed in the state. The command condemns this act in its entirety and assures that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.
“We urge members of the public to provide credible information that will assist in our ongoing investigation,” she said.
