Head of vigilante arrested with human skulls, bones in Rivers

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested the commander of a local vigilante group with two human skulls and other parts at his hideout in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of the state.

Felix Nwaobakata, the leader of the local vigilante group was arrested with seven other members of the security outfit for several crimes, including murder in a clampdown on the excesses of vigilante groups operating in the state.

The Spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, on Wednesday, July 3.Iringe-Koko said Nwaobakata, who is the Commander of the ONELGA Security and Peace Advisory Committee codenamed OSPAC was a principal suspect in the murder of two brothers in Idu in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni LGA of the state on May 1, 2024, on the allegations that they were kidnappers.

The statement noted the arrest of Nwaobakata and other OSPAC members followed numerous complaints about their operations in different parts of the state, especially in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LG, saying the operatives of the outfit recently attacked a police division in Omoku and clashed with other security agencies.The statement read, “The Rivers State Police Command has commenced a clampdown on the excesses of vigilante groups operating within the state.“This follows numerous complaints about the operations of the ONELGA Security and Peace Advisory Committee in different parts of the State, predominantly in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, as well as clashes with other Security Agencies by this Vigilante Group.

“On May 9, 2024, Alhaji Usman Seleh, the Chairman of the Hausa Indigenous Group in ONELGA, reported that OSPAC had abducted a member of his group. He proceeded to report the matter to the police. Consequently, the police invited the ONELGA OSPAC Commander, Felix Nwaobakata, who refused to honour several invitations.

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“Instead, the OSPAC outfit coordinated an attack on the police division in Omoku but the attack was thwarted as the police repelled them.

“Following this development, Tactical Units of the command stormed the ONELGA OSPAC Camp at Omoku and arrested Cheta Benjamin, Joshua Ekwosa, Innocent Ahiakwu, and four others.

“The ONELGA OSPAC Commander, Felix Nwaobakata, was subsequently arrested in his hideout in Omoku on June 17, 2024, where two human skulls and human bones were found in his possession.

“The arrested OSPAC Commander, Felix Nwaobakata, is also a principal suspect in the murder of two brothers, Collins Ugorji (32) and Newman Ugorji (39), of the Idu Community in ONELGA.”

The brothers were said to have been killed on May 1, 2024, by the OSPAC on the allegation that they were kidnappers.

Their motorcycles were reportedly confiscated, and their bodies were taken to the OSPAC secretariat in Omoku.

In another related incident, the state police spokesperson said, “On May 3, 2024, the Youths of Egbeda Community in Emuoha LGA staged a peaceful protest to Lubrik Construction Company at Egbeda, and after being addressed by the Police, they dispersed but were ambushed by a group of OSPAC members led by the Egbeda OSPAC Commander, Friday Ogbuji, who shot and killed the Youth Leader, Innocent Didia.

“The Rivers State Police Command has made further arrests and will continue to investigate these cases and other related ones, which will then be charged to a Court of competent Jurisdiction.

“The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu has advised that any resident who has complaints of assault, extortion, or illegal detention should make a report at the nearest police station.

“The Rivers State Command is committed to carrying out its duty of protecting lives and property. It will not tolerate any act of illegality, excessive use of force, torture, fraudulent conversion of properties, and other varying forms of criminality by the OSPAC or any other vigilante outfit.”

Head of vigilante arrested with human skulls, bones in Rivers

Updated: One feared dead, seven rescued in Lagos two-storey building collapse

A child was feared dead in a two-storey that collapsed Wednesday on Cameroon Street in the Mushin area of Lagos State.

Seven other residents were also rescued from the collapsed building by sympathisers.

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The building collapsed following torrential downpours in many parts of Lagos.

A statement by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said upon arrival of his rescue team at the scene of the incident, it was discovered that the building was newly constructed.

According to him, the seven rescued persons, consisting of three females and four males, have been taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The agency also said its rescue team had searched the rubble, confirming that there was no victim underneath the collapsed building.

It added that the area had been cordoned off and that clearing operations were still ongoing in the area as of 12.30pm on Wednesday.

Abductors demand N900m ransom to release Hausa musician’s mother

A group of bandits who kidnapped Hajiya Hauwa’u Adamu, the mother of renowned Hausa musician Dauda Adamu (known as Rarara), are demanding a ransom of N900 million for her release.

Last week, the Katsina State Police Command confirmed the arrest of two suspects connected to the abduction.

A family source revealed that the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N1 billion.

The source was quoted by Daily Trust as saying: “They called the family with a phone of a woman the bandits collected when they came to pick up Hajiya. They demanded N1bn but after a brief discussion with a member of the family, they reduced the amount to N900million.

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“At first, they demanded to seal the deal with Rarara himself because he felt sick following the abduction of his mother. They agreed to strike the deal with a member of the family. They confirmed to the family that Hajiya is in good condition and that she would be released as soon as the money is paid.

“The discussion between the bandits and family was very brief and since then they have not called again. But I believe the negotiation is still on. So, the family is still waiting for the bandits’ call to continue with negotiation.

“We learnt that after they gained access into her bedroom, they woke up all the women that were sleeping together with her and started comparing their faces with the photograph.”

Abductors demand N900m ransom to release Hausa musician’s mother