Ten killed as militants clash with vigilante group in Rivers

The chaos in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Council of Rivers State intensified on Thursday night, as 10 persons were killed following a gun battle between suspected militants and a vigilante group in the area.

The is coming barely three days after a combined security operation was carried out against a former militant’s leader in the area, popularly known as Don Waney.

It was gathered that men of the local vigilance group, known as ONELGA Security, Planning and Advisory Committee (OSPAC), ambushed the fleeing former militant and his group and engaged them in shootout.

A resident of Omoku said the latest incident happened on Thursday, with the former militant leader’s camp suffering losses.Contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nnamdi Omoni, requested to be given more time to enable him confirm the incident, but could not do so as at press time.

However, Caretaker Committee Chairman of ONELGA, Mr. Osi Olisa, expressed displeasure over the ugly development, noting that some individuals in the council were using youth groups for selfish economic and political gains.

Olisa, therefore, banned two youth groups in the area, Egi Youth Federation, from Egi Clan, and Idu Obosiukwu Youth Association, stating that any person or group that fails to the order would be seen as an enemy of ONELGA. 

He pointed out that the same youths had been invited several time by the council to discuss and evolve amicable understanding to bring peaceful co-existence, but regretted that their sponsors pressurised them to shun the meeting.