The Rivers State Police Command has vowed to bring to justice members of a suspected cult group responsible for a deadly attack in Ahoada that claimed the lives of a police officer and a local vigilante operative.
According to an official statement released by the command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the attack occurred at approximately 8:00 PM on June 23, when gunmen identified as members of the notorious Iceland cult group stormed the OSPAC (Onelga Security Planning and Advisory Committee) office, located beside the Ahoada East Local Government Secretariat.
The assailants, led by two men—Umegbewe Kingsley, also known as “Gutam,” and one Opaka (surname unknown)—opened fire on OSPAC personnel during the raid. In the course of their escape, the attackers shot and killed Corporal Francis Friday, a police officer attached to the Special Intervention Squad (SIS), who was on special duty at the Secretariat.
Police patrol teams led by the Divisional Police Officer responded swiftly to the incident, but the perpetrators had already fled the scene. Both victims—Corporal Friday and OSPAC operative Ngozi Ipah—were rushed to Ahoada General Hospital with gunshot wounds and were later pronounced dead. Their bodies have been deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy.
Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju visited the scene and has ordered the deployment of tactical teams to the area. He further directed the Area Commander and DPO to intensify manhunt operations, stating unequivocally that the culprits “will not escape justice.”
The Police Command has appealed to residents of Ahoada and surrounding communities to remain calm and report any suspicious activity to security agencies, assuring that every effort is being made to restore safety and apprehend those responsible for the killings.