Rivers police charge ISPAC operative to court for murder, stealing

community killings in Rivers state
Photo credit: Emmanuel Onwuka



Tina Amanda

Rivers State Police Command has arraigned three members of the Igwuruta Security Peace Advisory Committee, ISPAC, before a Magistrate Court sitting in Port Harcourt, for murder, possession of illegal firearms and indiscriminate shooting.

The suspects; Ikechukwu Amadi, Bright Nwogu and Chikwado Donatus and others at large were also charged for unlawful assault on Police officers, conspiracy, stealing of AK47 rifle and handcuff valued at one million, ten thousand naira which are properties belonging to the Nigerian Police Force, an offence punishable under Criminal code of Rivers State law.

The Presiding Magistrate, Enyidah John-Kennedy did not allow the charge to be read, and no plea was taken by the suspects who are alleged to have murdered one Princewill Ogbonda and Peter Opurum on 21st November 2020.

The Magistrate, however, ordered that the case file be transmitted to the Department of Public Prosecution, DPP for Advise and adjourned to 29th April, for a possible hearing.

According to the charge sheet, the remains of the victims are believed to have been buried in an unknown place by the ISPAC members without the consent of the family members, an incident which allegedly took place within Igwuruta Community in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the State on the 21st November 2020.

In an interview with our correspondent, brothers to the deceased, Barrister Goodluck Ogbonda and Emmanuel Opurum demanded justice and recovery of the bodies of their late brothers who were unjustly murdered.

They urged the Police Command to intensify their effort to arrest and prosecute everyone in connection to the heinous crime, including the Former Igwurita ISPAC Commander, Promise Nnawele and his 2IC Solomon Mmegbu and others at large, whom they alleged masterminded the killing of their brothers.

They lamented that their brothers who were murdered out of hatred did not commit any crime to warrant them to be killed, noting that the deceased left behind wives and children that are now helpless without their husbands and fathers.

They said the corpse of their late brothers are yet to be seen till date while demanding justice for their families and the communities.