Okogbe Vigilante Vice Chairman Joshua, Two Others Detained for Alleged Torture Killing

The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of three suspects, including a senior official of a local vigilante group, over the alleged torture and killing of a young man in Okogbe community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state.

The incident, which has sparked outrage across neighbouring communities, reportedly occurred after the victim, identified simply as Ghadafi, was accused of stealing palm fruits in Okogbe. According to police accounts, the matter escalated when community youths, alongside members of the local vigilante group, allegedly subjected the young man to severe physical assault that resulted in his death.

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police Grace Iringe-Koko, said the victim had previously been linked to criminal activities, including alleged cases of theft and an attempted rape of a member of the National Youth Service Corps in 2023. She, however, stressed that these allegations did not justify the actions that led to his death.

CSP Iringe-Koko explained that the deceased was allegedly beaten by community youths, including the Vice Chairman of the Okogbe vigilante group, leading to fatal injuries. She disclosed that three suspects have been taken into custody, adding that investigations are ongoing.

Those arrested include the vigilante Vice Chairman, Joshua, another vigilante member, Friday Silas, both from Okogbe community, and a motorcycle rider, Godlove Obed. They were apprehended by members of the Youth and Joint Task Force in Ukpeliede community while allegedly attempting to dispose of the corpse.

According to security sources, the suspects were intercepted while transporting the body of the deceased. Visual evidence obtained from the scene showed the victim’s hands and legs tied with ropes, with the body partially unclothed, raising further concerns about the brutality of the act.

In a video statement circulating online, Joshua claimed the victim had been “terrorising the community” and said the intention was to banish him from Okogbe, but that “he unfortunately died in the process.”

Also speaking on the incident, the Security Coordinator of Ukpeliede community, Osiga King, said vigilance by local security operatives led to the discovery of the crime. He explained that suspicious movements by a motorcycle carrying what appeared to be a lifeless body prompted the alert that resulted in the suspects’ arrest.

“He said during their watch as local community vigilante, they sighted a motorcycle carrying someone that seems to be dead… and upon tracing, it was discovered that they dropped a dead body in Ukpeliede,” King recounted.

Police authorities have since assured residents that all those involved will be prosecuted in accordance with the law, warning against jungle justice and urging communities to report suspected crimes to security agencies rather than resorting to self-help.

The command said further updates will be provided as investigations progress.