Suspected cultists shot and killed the zonal commander of a local security outfit codenamed the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area Security Planning and Advisory Committee in Omoku, the headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, identified as Ozomela Stephen Nwaocha, on Tuesday evening.
PUNCH Metro gathered on Wednesday that three women, including the commander’s sister, who were with him during the attack, were shot dead by the suspects.
The assailants reportedly attacked the vigilante commander while he was relaxing outside his compound with the women along Oba Road in Omoku.
It was suspected that the killing might have been a reprisal following a violent clash linked to a community dispute.
A source in the community who craved anonymity for fear of attack told our correspondent that a youth meeting had been 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 of the aftermath of the attack circulating on social media and seen by our correspondent on Wednesday showed multiple casualties, including the three women.
Confirming the incident in a voice note on Wednesday, the Public Relations Officer of OSPAC in Rivers State, Nkem Godknows, said the gunmen attacked the vigilante commander while he was sitting with his sister and her friend near his residence.
Godknows said the incident occurred around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, adding that the three women died instantly after they were hit by the attackers’ bullets. He further said two other victims sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to the hospital, where they are receiving treatment.
When contacted on Wednesday afternoon, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, confirmed the attack and expressed sadness over the incident, describing it as a setback to the relative peace being enjoyed in the state.