Community Leaders Proffer Solution To Incessant Killings In Rivers Community
4 min read
Edith CHUKU
Worried by incessant killings in some communities of Emohua local government area of Rivers State, a youth leader, Mr. Okah Chris Obinichi, has called on the local government chairman to reposition the disbanded local vigilante group, OSPAC.
Okah made this call in an interview with TNN. According to him, “first, if you trace the history of these killings and how this whole thing started, you will see that these things started far back, this insecurity did not start today in Emohua local government, even before the current administration of Chief Dr Chidi Julius Lloyd.
“But at a time when the OSPAC came, they were able to checkmate these guys. In fact, they chased some of these guys who were responsible for the killings, different cult groups and their leaders, they chased them out of the local government and we were able to enjoy peace.
“I’m not saying that OSPAC has done very well or there is no abuse, no, not at all. There are abuses, series of complaints against the men of OSPAC. But they were able to chase these guys away. You know at a point, the East -West road was no go area, until these guys came because they know these guys, they know where they reside, they know them better than the conventional security agency that we have.
“So they were able to chase them but when the complaints were just too much, the local government decided to disband OSPAC and that is why we are coming back to the incessant killings and attacks now.
“I think what the local government needs to do is to quickly think of repositioning the OSPAC, because that is just the only solution. We have had the police, the army all these years they were unable to curtail the activities of these guys but when OSPAC came, they were able to curtail them even if we have abuses. So, the local government chairman should do something to reposition OSPAC and remove the bad eggs in their midst so that they can curtail some of these things.”
Also, an elder statesman, Chief Sergeant Awuse has charged youths of Emohua Kingdom in Emohua Local Government Area to remain peaceful in order to attract more government attention to the kingdom.
Awuse gave the charge while addressing a delegation of youths drawn from the eight communities in Emohua kingdom during a meeting he convened at his Emohua residence last Friday.
He advised them to stay away from all forms of social vices that are capable of throwing the community into any crisis, stressing that no community attracts government attention when there is no existence of peace.
“I have decided to live amongst my people, I have decided to come back home and stay with my people so I can know and understand the problem of my people and know how to solve them. I love my people so much and that is why I will continue to preach peace. So long as you maintain the existing peace in Emohua kingdom, so long as you will shun cultism, kidnapping and every inordinate activity, I will continue to push for more government attention.”
On Tuesday, July 27, 2021, the Rivers State Police command confirmed the killing of Mr. Alex Uwazuruike Isaac, the leader of disbanded OSPAC in Umudioga community in Emohua local Government Area of the state.
Spokesperson of Rivers State Police command, Nnamdi Omoni said that the dismembered body of the victim was recovered and deposited in the mortuary for preservation, even as he stated that the police had restored normalcy in the community while the commissioner of police, Eboka Friday had ordered for investigation into the incident.
Natives of the community disclosed that gunmen suspected to be cultists that Tuesday invaded Umudioga community and killed Uwazurike, a leader of disbanded OSPAC.
Again, another unfortunate tragedy struck Emohua LGA around August 16, when gunmen killed the commander of OSPAC and his younger brother in Okporowo Ogbakiri in Emohua, this happened exactly a day after angry youths in a reprisal attack, attacked and killed one Mr. John Amadi, a member of OSPAC in Elele Alimini.
The attack was as a result of the alleged killing of one Mr. Christian Chukwu, who was believed to have had a misunderstanding with a member of OSPAC on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
Most recent of this disheartening incident happened last Thursday, August 26, in Ibaa community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State. Report has it that one Mr. Amobi Oguzo, a member of disbanded OSPAC was killed 24 hours after gunmen killed his son Prince Oguzo.
It was learnt that natives are fleeing the community following the killing, even as the general commander of disbanded OSPAC in the community Emohua LGA, Emeka Wori expressed disappointment at the killing.
