The Egbema clan in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Council of Rivers State has expressed concerns over the recent spate of killings and harassment by unknown armed men operating in the area.

The Guardian gathered that there had been growing unease and frustration gripping the community over the alleged activities of an armed group operating in the area.

The group, known as Nde Black and Black, has been accused of harassment, brutality, and extra-judicial killings, leaving residents to demand for intervention.

It was learned that the armed men always brandish different types of sophisticated rifles under the guise of being an anti-bunkering task force, going about maiming people.

According to the residents, the group’s actions have resulted in several incidents of violence and abuse, including the alleged murder of a pregnant woman on December 25, 2024.

Despite the severity of the incident, the Egbema clan claimed that no action had been taken to hold the perpetrators accountable.

Another incident involved the arrest and brutal maltreatment of a young mother, who was detained for a whole day and forced to pay a hefty bail sum.

Woman was allegedly beaten mercilessly and deprived of the opportunity to care for her unweaned child.

In a more recent incident, two young boys were allegedly killed and burned by unknown assailants at the TTC Junction in Egbema, sparking widespread outrage and condemnation from residents.

The victims were identified as Ubasinachi Hygenius from Okwuzi and the second one from Abaezi community, both in Egbema clan.

The Leader of Egbema Voice of Freedom (EVF), Everistus Nicholas, said the incident was not an isolated one, as the armed men, often seen carrying AK-47 rifles, had previously carried out similar acts of violence in the area.

Nicholas alleged that the group had been responsible for persistent harassment and killings of residents, especially those living along the Rivers/Imo border.

He said a previous incident was in December last year, where the same group killed a pregnant woman who was planning to get married that week.

He also mentioned another incident earlier this year where a lady was killed on little or no grounds.

“A pregnant lady was murdered. She was to be wedded that week but was murdered by these same men,” Nicholas said.

Ifi Francis Igbobuike, the National President-General of Ogbako Egbema Ali Nsor, said the community is worried about the reckless spilling of blood on Egbema land, which is considered a taboo.

He noted that the armed men in question were reportedly stationed at the Rivers/Imo border of Egbema, near the Teacher Training College (TTC).

He said they woke up to seeing the men dressed in black occupying the TTC that is on the boundaries between Egbema Rivers and Egbema Imo, adding that the armed men walk freely from Imo State to Rivers to perpetrate crime and return to their station unchallenged.

He expressed frustration that no one has been held accountable for these killings, and that the community is not aware of who is behind the deployment of these security men.

According to him, “All of a sudden, we woke up and found some “security men” at the Rivers/Imo border of Egbema.”

He, therefore, called on the Rivers and Imo state governments to collaborate and address the issue of armed men operating in Egbema without proper jurisdiction.

Igbobuike emphasised the need for security agencies to take permission before entering another state’s jurisdiction and to be transparent about their operations.

“We want the government to please assist us and the Rivers and Imo state governments should please collaborate, especially the police commissioners, to make sure that the issue of security men coming from one state to another to take permission before entry,” he said.

Nicholas also called on the government at all levels to urgently investigate the killings, uncover the true identity and motives of the armed group, and take steps to end the extra-judicial killings and ongoing harassment of innocent residents, saying: “This is a matter that needs every hand to be on the deck. People should not be killed on their own soil. No matter the crime, they Should be tried in court.”

He emphasised the importance of upholding the rule of law and the presumption of innocence, stating that the victims should have been given a fair trial before being punished.

Our criminal administrative system says that everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty by the law. There is no reason why the two victims should be killed and burnt on their soil,” he added.

The EVF leader urged the government and security agencies to take immediate action to investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators to justice. “We are using this opportunity to call on the government and the security agencies to urgently investigate this matter,” Nicholas said.

The community, therefore, demanded justice for the victims and an end to the violence and harassment that has plagued the area for too long.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command Spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident but noted that it happened In the Imo State part of Egbema community.

She, however, noted that there are indications that the suspects had been arrested. (The Guardian)