The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the killing of residents in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, said the command is saddened by the incident, which has disrupted the relative peace enjoyed in the area.
Although the police did not disclose the number of casualties, the command condemned the attack and assured residents that those behind the killings would be brought to justice.
The police also appealed to members of the public to provide useful information that could assist ongoing investigations.
The confirmation follows reports that suspected assailants killed the Commander of the Omoku branch of the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Security and Peace Advisory Committee, OSPAC, Ozoemela Stephen Wokocha, and three other women.
OSPAC is a local security outfit that supports conventional security agencies in maintaining peace in the area.
The development has reportedly triggered panic among residents, with renewed concerns over security in ONELGA.
Earlier, the Commandant-General of OSPAC, Emeka Onyeocha, had raised concerns over the welfare of members of the outfit, including poor funding and other unresolved challenges.
Reacting to the killings, Rivers State governorship candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party, Nature Dumale-Kieghe, identified Wokocha as the PRP youth leader in ONELGA.
Dumale-Kieghe said the incident confirms earlier concerns that authorities at federal, state and local levels are not doing enough to address security challenges, warning that the situation could attract international attention.
Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Rivers State chapter, has condemned the attack, describing it as barbaric, senseless and unacceptable.
The party’s Publicity Secretary, Chizzy Enyi, said the incident highlights the worsening security challenges facing Rivers State.
The ADC criticised what it described as the inadequate response of the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Council Chairman and called for a thorough investigation into the killings.
The party urged relevant authorities to take urgent and coordinated action to protect residents, while expressing solidarity with the people of Omoku and ONELGA.
