The fragile peace in Omoku, the headquarters of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) in Rivers State, has been shaken by the abduction and killing of the newly elected President of the Omoku Youth Association, Ifeanyi Azuazu, threatening to plunge the area back into crisis as was in those days late Johnson Igwedibia popularly known as Don Waney, a deadly cultist terrorised the town.
It was gathered that the unknown gunmen reportedly stormed Azuazu’s shop along Palace road and opened fire indiscriminately, on Thursday evening.
It was also gathered that his aide-de-camp, Chigozie Oluwu, was shot and killed, while several other youths sustained gunshot injuries during the attack.
It was further learnt that the assailants abducted Azuazu and whisked him away to an undisclosed location after the shooting.
According to the Public Relations Officer of OSPAC in LGA, Godknows Nkem, the lifeless body of the youth President was later discovered in a forest at Elieta Community in the area.
While confirming the development, the Commander of the ONELGA Security, Peace and Advisory Council (OSPAC), Emeka Onyeocha, said the youth leader’s body was recovered hours after the attack.
Reacting to the killing, the Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Dr. Chukwu Shedrach Ogbogu, condemned the act, describing it as senseless, brutal, and deeply disturbing.
He expressed profound sorrow over the loss of two lives and noted that the attackers showed utter disregard for human life and the peace of Omoku and the wider ONELGA area.
Dr. Ogbogu assured residents that the local government would fully support the Nigeria Police Force and OSPAC, pledging to provide all necessary resources to ensure the perpetrators are tracked, arrested, and prosecuted.
As at the time of filing this report, the Rivers State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
