Gunmen suspected to be cultists have beheaded the President of the Omoku Youth Federation in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Ifeanyi Azuazu, and shot dead his personal aide, Chigozie Oluwu.
The attack was reported to have taken place around 6 pm on Thursday when about seven armed men stormed a popular drinking joint along Ogolo Street, off Palace Road in Omoku.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants, who arrived in two vehicles, confronted the youth leader and ordered him into one of the cars.
His aide, Oluwu, was said to have tried to stop them but was immediately shot dead.
The attackers then took Azuazu away to an unknown destination.
The incident threw residents and passersby into panic, with many running for safety as traders hurriedly shut their businesses.
A viral video from the scene showed some youths assisting police officers and other security operatives to load Oluwu’s body into an open patrol van.
The headless body of Azuazu was later found in a bush on Friday afternoon by members of a local vigilante group.
The ONELGA Security and Planning Advisory Committee confirmed the killings.
OSPAC’s Public Relations Officer, Godnews Nkem, said, “Chigozie was shot dead by the gunmen before they abducted Ifeanyi Azuazu.
“Based on intelligence reports and the effectiveness of OSPAC security, we recovered the lifeless and headless body of Ifeanyi Azuazu in the bush.”
While condemning the attack, the group urged residents to stay calm and allow the police, the Department of State Services, and other security agencies to carry out investigations.
The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, also confirmed the incident, describing it as cult-related.
She said, “Yes, I can confirm the incident. It was cult-related. The cultists invaded the area, shot one dead, and kidnapped the youth president.
“Unfortunately, the headless body of the youth president was discovered today (Friday).
“The Commissioner of Police has ordered a full-scale investigation to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure they face the law.”
(PUNCH)
Post A Comment: