Vigilante leader, 2 others arrested for torturing man to death in Rivers

PORT HARCOURT—The leader of a vigilante group and two other members of the body have been arrested for torturing a man to death in Rivers State.

The incident happened at Okogbe Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that the chairman of the vigilante group, simply identified as Joshua and another member of the outfit, Friday Silas as well as motorcyclist, Obed Godlove, have been arrested in connection with the killing.

They were arrested by the youths of the community and a Joint Task Force team in Ukpeliede Community on Sunday, when the trio were attempting to dispose off the remains of their victim.

It was alleged that the suspects had on Saturday arrested their victim identified as Ghadafi after accusing him of stealing palm fruits from Okogbe.

The suspects, who arrested Ghadafi had allegedly tortured him to death and were making efforts to dump his remains in a secluded place before they were arrested.

It was gathered that when security operatives accosted the suspects, that the hands and legs of the deceased were still tied with ropes.

When the security queried the suspects upon their arrest, Joshua claimed that the victim has been terrorising the community and they had to apprehend him with a view to banish him from the community when he unfortunately died in the process.

Speaking, Chief Security Officer of Ukpeliede Community, Mr. Osiga King, said the community youths noticed some suspicious moves and quickly contacted security agents in their area.

King said the quick intervention of the security formations in their area led to arrest of the suspects, adding that the suspects entered their community to dump remains of their victim.

The Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the development, saying: “The suspect was involved in various cases of stealing and also attempted to rape an NYSC member in 2023. He was assaulted by community youths, which led to his death.”

Culled from vanguard