Gunmen attack Rivers vigilante office, injure personnel

Gunmen have attacked the head office of a local security outfit, codenamed OSPAC, on Erema Street in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, injuring one personnel.

It was gathered that the incident, which occurred at about 8:10 p.m. on Saturday, caused panic as residents and passersby scampered for safety.

Though the motive for the attack could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report, sources said the assailants arrived in two vehicles, one of which was described as an ash-coloured Lexus SUV.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the Public Relations Officer of OSPAC in Rivers State, Godknows Nkem, said the office serves as a centre where residents lodge various complaints.

Nkem, however, expressed surprise that the gunmen drove to the office and started shooting indiscriminately, leaving one personnel with a bullet wound on the ankle.

He stated, “At that hour of the day, the gunmen drove in and started shooting sporadically. Nobody died, but one of our personnel sustained a bullet injury to his ankle. Our station guards later repelled the attack.

“The fear of OSPAC is the beginning of wisdom in the entire Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA and Rivers State at large. Just that for the past eight months we came on board, our welfare has not been catered for. We have been struggling to survive.”

The OSPAC spokesperson urged residents of ONELGA to remain law-abiding and go about their normal activities without fear, assuring them that the perpetrators would be apprehended.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, ASP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the attack on the vigilante office, saying investigations were ongoing.

Iringe-Koko stated, “I can confirm the incident. No arrest for now because the incident happened late in the night, but investigation is ongoing to unmask the identities of the perpetrators with a view to bringing them to justice.”