The Rivers State Police Command has arrested three men, including the leader of a local vigilante group, over the alleged torture and k!ll!ng of a man in Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects were apprehended on Sunday, February 8, while allegedly attempting to dispose of the victim’s body in Ukpeliede Community. The deceased, identified as Ghadafi, was reportedly accused of theft.
Those arrested include the chairman of the vigilante group, identified as Joshua, one Friday Silas, and a commercial motorcyclist, Obed Godlove. They were intercepted by community youths working alongside a Joint Task Force during a routine security patrol.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, the Chief Security Officer of Ukpeliede Community, Mr. Osiga King, said the suspects were spotted transporting what appeared to be a lifeless body on a motorcycle at about 1:30 p.m.
According to King, security personnel became suspicious after noticing the unusual movement and traced the motorcycle to a location where the body was allegedly dumped. He said the suspects later returned to relocate the corpse but were intercepted on the road while attempting to move it to another area.
“They were stopped while heading towards Okogbe community. With the support of soldiers guarding facilities in the area and other security agencies, the suspects were arrested and later led us to where the body had been taken,” King said.
He added that the suspects allegedly confessed to torturing the victim to death, claiming he had been involved in repeated thefts within the community. According to them, previous complaints had been made to security agencies about the deceased’s activities.
Images and videos circulating from the scene showed the victim restrained, prompting outrage among residents and renewed calls against mob justice and vigilante excesses.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said three suspects had been arrested in connection with the case and that investigations were ongoing.
“The deceased was allegedly involved in several theft-related cases. He was assaulted by some community members, which resulted in his death. Three suspects are currently in custody, and the investigation is ongoing,” Iringe-Koko, a Chief Superintendent of Police, said.
Police authorities have assured that those found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.