The relatives of two brothers, Collins Ugorji and Newman Ugorji, claim that a local group of citizens who act as guards in the Idu community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State are responsible for the deaths of the siblings, after robbing them of their money.
A cousin of the deceased, Wade Ugorji, leveled the accusation when speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Tuesday.
Ugorji mentioned that the incident took place on May 1, 2024, when the two went to the Idu community to make a purchase but were halted by members of the Onelga Security Peace Advisory Council known as ‘OSPAC’ who allegedly killed them.
She explained, “They also took off with their two motorcycles and their bodies. Their bodies have still not been discovered until now.
“There was a rumor the next morning that OSPAC had killed two kidnappers at Idu. So, when some people arrived there, they saw the bodies and took some photos.
“When the local residents of Idu saw them, they said these guys are Chinem’s children, they are not kidnappers. It was at that point that OSPAC took their bodies and left.
“I don’t know where they buried them. Furthermore, they (OSPAC) are still threatening to kill the eldest brother of the siblings who went to report the matter at the Police station.”
In response, Godknows Nkem, the Public Relations Officer of OSPAC, denied the accusation in a phone interview, stating that the vigilante group did not kill anyone.
Nkem alleged that it was the deceased and their associates who fired at OSPAC members.
When questioned about the cause of the brothers' deaths, he stated, “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 approached, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, authenticated the incident in a brief message sent to our correspondent on Tuesday evening.
Iringe-Koko revealed that five suspects, including a member of the vigilante, have been apprehended in connection with the incident.
The message stated, “The Divisional Police Officer of Omoku, with his patrol team, promptly went to the Idu community following the reported murder case at the station on 7/5/2024.
“In the meantime, one member of OSPAC and four suspects were detained in relation to the incident, and the case was transferred to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department for discreet investigation.
