Tragedy struck the Ahoada community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State on Monday, June 23, when a group of suspected cultists launched a deadly attack, resulting in the deaths of a police officer and a member of the local vigilante group.
According to a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, Superintendent of Police (SP) Grace Iringe-Koko, the assailants were allegedly led by two individuals identified as Umegbewe Kingsley, popularly known by the alias ‘Gutam’, and another individual known simply as Opaka. The suspects are believed to be high-ranking members of the notorious Iceland cult group.
The brutal attack reportedly took place at the office of the local security outfit, OSPAC (Onelga Security, Peace, and Advisory Council), located adjacent to the Ahoada East Council Secretariat. The cultists, heavily armed, stormed the premises and opened fire on the OSPAC operatives.
During the assault, one of the vigilante personnel, identified as Ngozi Ipah, sustained multiple gunshot wounds. As the gunmen fled the scene, they encountered Corporal Francis Friday, a police officer assigned to the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) on special duty at the council secretariat. He was also shot and fatally wounded by the fleeing attackers.
Police patrol teams led by the Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada Division quickly responded to the distress call and arrived at the scene. However, the attackers had already escaped before the arrival of the security teams.
Both victims—Corporal Francis Friday and Ngozi Ipah—were immediately rushed to the Ahoada General Hospital. Unfortunately, medical personnel at the hospital confirmed both men dead on arrival due to the severity of their injuries. Their remains have since been deposited in the hospital’s morgue for autopsy.
In the aftermath of the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, visited the crime scene to assess the situation firsthand.
He condemned the killings and directed the Area Commander and the Divisional Police Officer to intensify efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects. Tactical police units have been deployed to the area to strengthen security and track down those responsible for the heinous crime.
CP Adepoju assured the public that the killers will not go unpunished, pledging that justice will be served swiftly and decisively.