Family accuses Rivers vigilante of killing two brothers
The family of two siblings, Collins Ugorji and Newman Ugorji has accused a local vigilante group in the Idu community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State of killing their brothers after robbing them of their monies.
Cousin to the deceased, Wade Ugorji, made the allegation while speaking to newsmen in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Tuesday.
Ugorji said the incident occurred on May 1, 2024, when the duo went to the Idu community to buy something before members of the Onelga Security Peace Advisory Council codenamed ‘OSPAC’ stopped them and allegedly killed them.
She stated, “They also made away with their two motorcycles and their bodies. Up till now, their bodies have not been found.
“There was a rumour in the morning of the following day that OSPAC killed two kidnappers at Idu. So, some people who came there saw the bodies and took some pictures.
“When the Idu indigenes saw them, they said these guys are Chinem’s children, they are not kidnappers. That was when OSPAC took their bodies and went away.
“I don’t know where they buried them. Again they (OSPAC) are still threatening to kill the eldest brother of the siblings who went to report the matter at the Police station.”
Reacting, the Public Relations Officer of OSPAC, Godknows Nkem, in a telephone interview denied the allegation, saying the vigilante group did not kill anybody.
Nkem alleged that it was the deceased and their gang members who shot at OSPAC members.
When asked what led to the death of the brothers, he said, “I was not at the scene and I am not aware if anybody died aside from the OSPAC members who were shot by the hoodlums”.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident in a short message sent to our correspondent on Tuesday evening.
Iringe-Koko said five suspects, including a vigilante, have been arrested in connection with the incident.
The message read, “The Divisional Police Officer of Omoku, with his patrol team, swiftly stormed the Idu community base on the case of murder reported at the station 7/5/2024.
“Meanwhile, one member of OSPAC and four suspects were arrested in connection with the incident, and the case was transferred to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department for discreet investigation. “
