Gunmen suspected to be cultists have beheaded the President of the Omoku Youth Federation in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Ifeanyi Azuazu, and shot dead his personal aide, Chigozie Oluwu.
The incident occurred around 6 pm on Thursday when about seven assailants stormed a popular drinking spot along Ogolo Street, off Palace Road in Omoku town.
Sources said the attackers, who arrived in two vehicles, confronted the Youth President and ordered him into a car.
His aide, Oluwu, attempted to intervene and was immediately shot dead.
The attack caused panic among residents and passersby, with many fleeing for safety while business owners hurriedly closed their shops.
A viral video showed local youths assisting the police and other security personnel in placing Oluwu’s body into an open patrol van.
The ONELGA Security and Planning Advisory Committee confirmed the killings.
OSPAC’s Public Relations Officer, Godnews Nkem, said, “Chigozie was shot dead by the gunmen before they abducted Ifeanyi Azuazu.
“Based on intelligence reports and the effectiveness of OSPAC security, we recovered the lifeless and headless body of Ifeanyi Azuazu in the bush.”
While condemning the attack, OSPAC advised residents to remain calm and allow the police, the Department of State Services, and other security agencies to carry out investigations.
The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, describing it as cult-related.
She said, “Yes, I can confirm the incident. It was cult-related. The cultists invaded the area, shot one dead, and kidnapped the youth president.
“Unfortunately, the headless body of the youth president was discovered today (Friday).
“The Commissioner of Police has ordered a full-scale investigation to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure they face the law.”
