Gunmen suspected to be cultists have killed the zonal commander of the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area Security Planning and Advisory Committee (OSPAC), Ozomela Stephen Nwaocha, alongside three women during a deadly attack in Omoku, Rivers State, in an incident that has reignited security concerns in the oil-producing community.
The attack occurred on Tuesday evening along Oba Road in Omoku, the headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA), where the commander was reportedly sitting outside his residence with family members and friends when heavily armed assailants opened fire.
Among those killed was the commander’s sister, while two other persons sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to hospital for treatment.
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The incident triggered widespread panic across Omoku, with residents abandoning their homes, businesses shutting their doors and commercial activities grinding to a halt amid fears of further violence.
Videos circulating on social media after the attack showed emotional scenes as residents and relatives wailed while victims were evacuated from the scene.
Local sources linked the killings to a possible reprisal following a violent dispute in the community earlier the same day.
According to residents, a youth meeting was allegedly disrupted after armed security personnel accompanied by OSPAC members reportedly stormed the venue and gunfire broke out, leaving two youths injured. Although authorities have yet to establish a direct connection between both incidents, residents believe tensions from the earlier confrontation may have escalated into the deadly attack.
Speaking after the incident, OSPAC Public Relations Officer Nkem Godknows said the commander was attacked at about 5:05 p.m. while relaxing near his residence.
“It was about 5:05 p.m. Our commander was hanging out with his sister and friend around his neighbourhood. Before you know it, the gunmen got there and shot him dead,” he said.
He confirmed that three women died at the scene, while two other victims survived with gunshot injuries and are receiving medical treatment.
Godknows appealed for calm, urging residents not to take the law into their own hands.
“We reported to the police immediately. My call to the people of Omoku and ONELGA in general is that they should remain calm. Nobody should panic,” he said.
He also appealed to the Rivers State Government and security agencies to provide greater support for OSPAC operatives, saying members of the local security outfit work under difficult conditions.
“We are not paid. We have no source of income,” he added.
The Rivers State Police Command condemned the killings and said investigations had commenced to identify and arrest those responsible.
Police described the incident as a setback to the relative peace being enjoyed in the state and appealed to members of the public to provide useful information that could assist investigators.
Omoku has experienced repeated outbreaks of cult-related violence and communal clashes over the years despite sustained security operations by police, the military and local vigilante groups. Security experts have repeatedly warned that rivalry among armed groups, illegal oil-related activities and longstanding community disputes continue to fuel instability across parts of Rivers State.
As investigations continue, residents have called for increased security patrols and a stronger government response to prevent fresh attacks and restore confidence in the community.
