The Rivers State Police Command has taken into custody a member of the Onelga Security and Advisory Committee (OSPAC), Felix Dibia, following allegations that he shot and killed Francis Chibuzor Ogwu in Omoku, the headquarters of the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
OSPAC is a local civilian vigilante and community policing security outfit operating in parts of Rivers State, including Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
Daily Trust gathered that the vigilante operative had on the night of Thursday, October 1, 2026, accosted the deceased and one other person along the road and ordered them to sit on the ground.
While the deceased obeyed the order, the other person ran away, and out of provocation, the vigilante operative gunned down Francis.
After killing the Francis, the vigilante hurriedly dug a shallow grave and buried the corpse secretly and pretended that nothing happened, until information filtered in the community the following day.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Rivers State, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, confirmed the incident.
In a statement on Monday, Kaborlo said the Command was aware of the reported killing of one Francis Chibuzor Ogwu in Omoku on 1st October 2026, allegedly involving an OSPAC personnel, Felix Dibia.
She said, “The suspect has been arrested and the alleged firearm recovered, while investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“For the avoidance of doubt, no OSPAC personnel or any other individual has the lawful authority to unlawfully deprive another person of life.
“The right to life is expressly guaranteed under Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“The Command will ensure that due process is followed and that the outcome of the investigation is based strictly on the facts and applicable law.”
What You Should Know
This incident highlights growing concerns regarding the conduct and accountability of local civilian vigilante outfits operating in communities across Nigeria. While such security groups are initially formed to complement conventional law enforcement against crime, cases of abuse of power can endanger innocent citizens.
- Positive Impact: Swift police intervention and the arrest of the suspect demonstrate a commitment to holding erring security personnel accountable and upholding the rule of law.
- Potential Concerns: Unchecked actions by armed vigilantes pose severe security risks to civilians, emphasizing the urgent need for stricter oversight, proper training, and psychological evaluations for community policing operatives.
