SUSPECTED CULTISTS KILL POLICEMAN, VIGILANTE IN RIVERS STATE ATTACK
NEWS - Posted on: 27th Jun. 2025 at 9:29PM
By Onigbanjo Ifeoluwa
Port Harcourt — A police corporal and a vigilante operative were shot dead on Monday night in a suspected cult-related attack in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The incident is believed to be linked to the recent assault on the Administrator of Ahoada East LGA, Goodluck Ineanachor, who was attacked by hoodlums last Friday. Reports indicate that the attackers, believed to be members of the Iceland cult group, stormed the local vigilante office near the council secretariat around 8 p.m. and opened fire.
Spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday. She said the attackers, led by two individuals identified as Umegbewe Kingsley, also known as “Gutam,” and one Opaka (surname unknown), both suspected cult leaders, carried out the assault.
“During the assault, OSPAC operative Ngozi Ipah was shot. While fleeing the scene, the assailants also gunned down Corporal Francis Friday, who was on special duty at the Ahoada East LG Secretariat with the Special Intervention Squad,” the statement read.
OSPAC, the Onelga Security Peace Advisory Committee, is a local vigilante outfit supporting community security in the area.
The attack follows heightened tension after last Friday’s dramatic invasion of the Ahoada East council premises by about 30 armed men. During that incident, Administrator Goodluck Ineanachor was beaten, forced to sign a resignation letter, and had important documents and his phone taken by the assailants. The police have since summoned the Council’s Chief Security Officer and Chief of Staff for questioning over possible links to the assault.
According to Iringe-Koko, police patrol teams led by the Divisional Police Officer arrived promptly at the scene on Monday, but the attackers had already escaped.
“Both victims were rushed to Ahoada General Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds but were pronounced dead on arrival,” she added. Their remains have been deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy. The Rivers State Police Command condemned the attack and assured residents that efforts are underway to track down the perpetrators and restore order to the area.
By Onigbanjo IfeoluwaPort Harcourt — A police corporal and a vigilante operative were shot dead on Monday night in a suspected cult-related attack in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The incident is believed to be linked to the recent assault on the Administrator of Ahoada East LGA, Goodluck Ineanachor, who was attacked by hoodlums last Friday. Reports indicate that the attackers, believed to be members of the Iceland cult group, stormed the local vigilante office near the council secretariat around 8 p.m. and opened fire.
Spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday. She said the attackers, led by two individuals identified as Umegbewe Kingsley, also known as “Gutam,” and one Opaka (surname unknown), both suspected cult leaders, carried out the assault.
“During the assault, OSPAC operative Ngozi Ipah was shot. While fleeing the scene, the assailants also gunned down Corporal Francis Friday, who was on special duty at the Ahoada East LG Secretariat with the Special Intervention Squad,” the statement read.
OSPAC, the Onelga Security Peace Advisory Committee, is a local vigilante outfit supporting community security in the area.
The attack follows heightened tension after last Friday’s dramatic invasion of the Ahoada East council premises by about 30 armed men. During that incident, Administrator Goodluck Ineanachor was beaten, forced to sign a resignation letter, and had important documents and his phone taken by the assailants. The police have since summoned the Council’s Chief Security Officer and Chief of Staff for questioning over possible links to the assault.
According to Iringe-Koko, police patrol teams led by the Divisional Police Officer arrived promptly at the scene on Monday, but the attackers had already escaped.
“Both victims were rushed to Ahoada General Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds but were pronounced dead on arrival,” she added. Their remains have been deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy. The Rivers State Police Command condemned the attack and assured residents that efforts are underway to track down the perpetrators and restore order to the area.
Posted by: Emdee David
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