Rivers State Police Arrest Vigilante Commander with Human Skulls
The Rivers State Police Command has announced the arrest of Felix Nwaobakata, the commander of a local vigilante group, along with seven other members, for various crimes including possession of human skulls.
The arrests were made at Nwaobakata’s hideout in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of the state.
According to Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the State Police Command, the arrests were part of a clampdown on the activities of vigilante groups operating within the state, particularly focusing on the ONELGA Security and Peace Advisory Committee (OSPAC).
OSPAC, under Nwaobakata’s leadership, has been implicated in serious allegations including murder and attacks on law enforcement agencies.
“The Rivers State Police Command has commenced a clampdown on the excesses of vigilante groups operating within the state. This follows numerous complaints about the operations of the ONELGA Security and Peace Advisory Committee in different parts of the State, predominantly in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA,” Iringe-Koko stated.
The arrest of Nwaobakata and his associates followed incidents including an attack on a police division in Omoku and the alleged abduction of a member of the Hausa Indigenous Group, which prompted intervention by the police.
“On May 9, 2024, Alhaji Usman Seleh, the Chairman of the Hausa Indigenous Group in ONELGA, reported that OSPAC had abducted a member of his group. He proceeded to report the matter to the police. Consequently, the police invited the ONELGA OSPAC Commander, Felix Nwaobakata, who refused to honour several invitations,” the statement read.
It was further revealed that during a raid on Nwaobakata’s hideout on June 17, 2024, police operatives discovered two human skulls and human bones in his possession. Nwaobakata is also implicated as a principal suspect in the murder of two brothers, Collins Ugorji and Newman Ugorji, from the Idu Community in ONELGA, allegedly killed by OSPAC members on May 1, 2024.
Additionally, incidents involving OSPAC members in other communities have been reported, including the fatal shooting of Innocent Didia, a youth leader in Egbeda Community, Emuoha LGA, on May 3, 2024.
“The Rivers State Police Command has made further arrests and will continue to investigate these cases and other related ones, which will then be charged to a Court of competent Jurisdiction,” Iringe-Koko assured.
Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, emphasized the importance of community policing while cautioning against illegality and misuse of authority by vigilante groups. He urged residents with complaints of assault, extortion, or illegal detention to report to the police for prompt action.
The Rivers State Police Command remains committed to maintaining law and order, protecting lives, and ensuring justice for victims of criminal activities within the state.
