A local vigilante known as OSPAC in Omademe in IKwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State allegedly shot one Godspower Dimkpa dead, a native of IPO 2, on Thursday 26, January 2023 after collecting 25,000 naira bail money.
The incident comes barely forty-eight hours after Commissioner of Police, CP Effiong Okon reiterated the ban on the use of firearms and the detention of suspects by a local vigilance group in the state.
Godspower Dimkpa twenty-nine years of age and father of two children was said to have been ambushed and shot dead by Omademe OSPAC members on his way to IPO 2, his community after he was released from OSPAC cell.
In an interview with our reporter, Luggard Dimkpa, elder brother to the deceased said “yesterday the man he sold the land for at the backyard, build his house finished and packed in, and fence his(tenant) land so I don’t know what caused an issue between my late brother and his tenant.
“The tenant, CDC Chairman in IPO brought OSPAC from Omademe to carry OSPAC to arrest my brother, and the CDC Chairman said they should arrest my brother.
“They(OSPAC) did not see my brother initially, they(OSPAC) arrested me. Later they arrested my brother and I bailed him 25,000 nairas.
“On our way coming back, they(OSPAC) attacked us on the road. OSPAC Omademe is aware of my brother’s death because they have paid them before to come and kill me they did not succeed. They wanted to succeed by killing me and my brother at the same time yesterday.
“As they(Omademe OSPAC) attacked us, yesterday night, I ran to the bush then they shot him.
“They have arrested either one or two of them. They are at Igwurita Police station now with the man(brother’s tenant). They have not arrested the CDC Chairman and some other persons linked to the killing.
Police should help me find the OSPAC people, the CDC Chairman and John, Chamberline, and Precious.
The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe Koko confirmed the incident. She said the deceased was rushed to the hospital where he died after he was allegedly by OSPAC members.
SP Koko disclosed that the OSPAC members have been arrested and the investigation is ongoing.
In the meantime, the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign has condemned the alleged killing by OSPAC. A lawyer with the group Charles Edwar called for a thorough investigation into the incident to prosecute anybody found culpable in the death of Godspower.
Mr. Edward also called for proper monitoring and close supervision of local vigilance groups by the Police to prevent the reoccurrence of such incidents.
