A police officer, Francis Friday, and a member of the local vigilante, Onelga Security Peace and Advisory Committee (OSPAC), Ngozi Ipah, have been confirmed dead after being shot by gunmen during an attack on the OSPAC office beside the Ahoada East Council Secretariat in Rivers State.
As gathered, the two victims, who were pronounced dead by medical experts attached to the Ahoada General Hospital, were said to have been shot by two gunmen, Umegbewe Kingsley popularly called ‘Gutam’, and another identified as Opaka, who was said to be leaders of the Iceland cult group in the state.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, confirmed the death toll during a visit to the scene, has deployed tactical teams to the area to aid the quick arrest of the perpetrators.
Adepoju, who promised that the killers of the police officer and the OSPAC operative would not escape justice, directed the Area Commander and DPO to intensify efforts to track down and arrest the perpetrators.Â
“Armed assailants, led by two men, Umegbewe Kingsley a.k.a. ‘Gutam’ and one Opaka (surname unknown), believed to be leaders of the Iceland cult group, stormed the a member of Onelga Security Peace and Advisory Committee (OSPAC) office beside the Ahoada East Council Secretariat, and opened fire on its operatives.
“During the assault, OSPAC operative Ngozi Ipah was shot. While escaping, the assailants also gunned down a police officer, Corporal Francis Friday, who was on special duty at the Secretariat with the Special Intervention Squad (SIS).
“Responding swiftly, Police patrol teams led by the Divisional Police Officer arrived at the scene, but the attackers had already fled. Both victims were rushed to the Ahoada General Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds but were pronounced dead on arrival. Their bodies have been deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy”.
