AHOADA EAST, Rivers State – June 25, 2025 – The Rivers State Police Command has vehemently condemned the brutal killing of two security operatives during a targeted attack by suspected cultists on Monday night, June 23, 2025. The incident, which occurred around the outer perimeter of the Ahoada East Local Council, resulted in the deaths of a local vigilante member and a police officer.
According to the Command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, armed assailants, believed to be led by notorious cult figures Umegbewe Kingsley, also known as ‘Gutam’, and one Opaka (surname unknown) of the Iceland cult group, stormed the OSPAC office located beside the Ahoada East Council Secretariat. The attack, which took place between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., involved gunmen on motorbikes attempting to infiltrate the council secretariat, prompting a response from security operatives.
During the assault, OSPAC operative Ngozi Ipah was tragically shot. As the assailants attempted to escape, they also gunned down Corporal Francis Friday, a police officer 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,” SP Iringe-Koko stated. “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.”
Emeni Ibe, President of the Orashi National Congress (ONC), confirmed the chaotic scene, noting that business owners hurriedly shut their shops and ran for safety. The incident has left the community in a state of shock and heightened fear. Ibe appealed to the youth of the local council to embrace peace and urged security agencies to reinforce their presence in the area.
This latest act of violence adds to a string of unsettling incidents in the Ahoada East area. Only last week, unknown youths reportedly invaded the office of the Administrator of Ahoada East Local Council, assaulting him and allegedly forcing him to sign a prepared resignation letter.
The state Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, who has since visited the crime scene, has deployed tactical teams to the area. He has directed the Area Commander and Divisional Police Officer to intensify efforts to track down and apprehend the perpetrators.
CP Adepoju has sternly vowed that the killers of the police officer and the OSPAC operative will not escape justice. The Command has urged residents to remain calm, cooperative, and to report any suspicious individuals or activities to the nearest police station to aid ongoing investigations.
