Gunmen suspected to be cultists have killed the Omoku Zonal Commander of the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area Security Planning and Advisory Committee (OSPAC), Ozomela Stephen Nwaocha, and three women in an attack along Oba Road in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The incident occurred on Monday evening while the vigilante commander was relaxing with his sister and her friend near his residence.

Daily Trust gathered that the attack threw the community into panic as residents fled for safety, while business owners hurriedly shut their shops for fear of further violence.

Although no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, locals said the killing of the OSPAC commander could signal a resurgence of the violent and indiscriminate killings that plagued the area before the introduction of the local security outfit.

Residents also said several OSPAC officials have been killed in recent times, raising fears of a possible return to the “Don Wanie” era in the area.

Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of OSPAC in Rivers State, Comrade Nkem Godknows, said the gunmen attacked the commander while he was relaxing with his sister and her friend near his residence.

He said: “The incident happened a few minutes past 5 p.m. Our commander was with his sister and her friend, seated around his neighbourhood, when unknown gunmen approached and shot him dead.

“Three women died on the spot, while two other victims sustained gunshot wounds and are currently receiving treatment at the hospital. The police were immediately informed, and we reported the incident without delay.

“My appeal to the people of Omoku is to remain calm, be peaceful, and continue with their normal daily activities. Nobody should panic. By the grace of God, OSPAC, alongside other security agencies, will get to the root of this matter.

“I also appeal to the government and well-meaning individuals to come to the aid of OSPAC. We are not adequately taken care of. We are not paid, and we have no reliable source of income. We have little or no support or encouragement. I am calling on the general public to support OSPAC.”

The Police Public Relations Officer in Rivers State, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, who also confirmed the incident, assured that the perpetrators would be brought to justice and urged members of the public with useful information to assist the police investigation.

“The Rivers State Command is saddened by this incident, which has disturbed the relative peace being enjoyed in the state. The command condemns this act in its entirety and reiterates that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.

“The Rivers State Police Command seeks tangible information from members of the public that will assist us in our investigation,” she said. (Daily Trust)