In a significant crackdown on vigilante groups operating in the state, the Rivers State Police Command has arrested over eight members of the ONELGA Security Planning and Advisory Committee (OSPAC) for their alleged involvement in various criminal activities.
The police reported that the leader of the group, Felix Nwaobakata, was found in possession of two human skulls and other bones.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday that these arrests followed numerous public complaints about OSPAC’s activities.
According to Iringe-Koko, the police took action after Alhaji Usman Seleh, the Chairman of the Hausa Indigenous Group in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA), reported the abduction of a community member by OSPAC.
Despite multiple invitations, Nwaobakata and his group refused to cooperate with the police and instead attacked a police station, an assault that was successfully repelled.
On May 9, 2024, following the thwarted attack, tactical units raided the OSPAC camp in Omoku, arresting several members including Cheta Benjamin, Joshua Ekwosa, and Innocent Ahiakwu.
Nwaobakata was eventually captured on June 17, 2024, in Omoku.
Further investigations revealed Nwaobakata’s involvement in the murder of two brothers, Collins and Newman Ugorji, who were killed on May 1, 2024, by OSPAC under allegations of kidnapping.
Their bodies were taken to the OSPAC Secretariat in Omoku but have not been recovered.