Women in Rivers State have expressed concerns over the frequent reported cases of female organs harvesting in the state.
Most recent of this disturbing incident happened in Ogoda community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state, where the decomposing remains of an unidentified young woman was discovered in a stream near the community.
Her remains were recovered on Sunday by security personnel and the Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area, Eugene Epelle, with some of her body parts missing.
Reacting to this, the chairperson of Women Rights Protection WRP, Mrs Gloria Ezebunwo, raised fears about the safety of women, and called for thorough investigation and protection of the vulnerable members of the community.
Ezebunwo while expressing dismay over the incident, announced the organisation’s readiness to emback on a protest, even as she demanded the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators of the act.
Her words: “This incident has heightened fears, among residents and women, everyone is afraid, especially mothers whose daughters are out there facing the world alone.
“This is troubling, so worrisome. Who are the ones carrying out this devilish act; they are sons, husband’s and brothers, killing mothers, sister, wives for money. This is deeply troubling and extremely worrisome. What has happened to our values, our sense of family, and our respect for human life?
“This is not just a crime; it is a deeply disturbing reflection of how greed, desperation and the pursuit of money can destroy the most sacred bonds between people. It is demonic and completely unacceptable. No amount of money should ever be worth a human life, and no financial gain can justify such cruelty.
“We cannot continue to remain silent or treat these incidents as normal. Families, communities, religious leaders, traditional institutions and the authorities all have a role to play in confronting this growing fear and protecting vulnerable people, especially women and young girls. We must speak up, demand justice, and work together to restore a society where mothers can sleep peacefully, where daughters can go out without fear.
“Our communities must reject violence, greed and every act that devalues human life. We must return to a culture where people protect one another, where family means safety, and where every human life is treated with dignity and respect.”
Earlier, the Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eugene Epelle, has assured residents that all those involved in the killing of a young lady in the council area will be brought to justice.
Epelle gave the assurance while leading his team, along with security operatives, to Ogoda Community, where the body of the unnamed victim was recovered from a stream.
The LG chair condemned the killing and confirmed that two suspects are currently in police custody in connection with the incident.
“We were informed that there was a deceased person in the forest of Ogoda community, in Ahoada West Local Government Area. Without wasting time, we swung into action — the DPO, the JTF commander, all the security officers in Ahoada West, and my team.
“We mobilised yesterday and were able to arrest two young men who are being investigated, based on information linking them to the death of this young lady.”
Epelle said the incident was the first of its kind since he assumed office, insisting that the council would not treat the matter lightly.
Giving an account of how the body was discovered, the Traditional Ruler of Ogoda Community, Chief Obutu Tom, said he first received information about the incident while in Port Harcourt.
“That was on the 12th. I was in Port Harcourt when I received the first phone call informing me that some boys, about five in number, had grouped themselves together, conspired, and abducted a girl from Ahoada Minta, Ahoada East, to Ogoda community. After which, the girl was killed; her breasts were removed, her private part was removed, and her heart was taken. They then went and dropped her body in a stream very close to the village,” he said.
Tom said he immediately reported the matter to the police upon returning to the community. “After I entered the community and carried out my preliminary investigation, I said no, I cannot allow such a thing to happen in my area. I had to do the needful, so I went to the police and gave my report to them,” he said.
He explained that it took days of coordination before the body was eventually recovered.
