The Rivers State Police Command has arrested three persons, including the head of a local vigilante outfit, for allegedly torturing a man identified as Ghadafi to death in the Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state.
It was gathered that the suspects were trying to dump the lifeless body of Gaddafi, whom they accused of stealing palm fruits, when security operatives and youths from the community intercepted them last Saturday.
Those arrested are the Chairman of the vigilante, simply identified as Joshua, his colleague, Silas and a motorcycle rider, one Obed Godlove.
Pictures and videos of the victim’s corpse, sighted by our reporter, showed the hands and legs of the deceased tied with ropes, even as he was naked.
The Chief Security Officer of Ukpeliede Community, Mr Osiga King, in an interview with newsmen on Monday, gave details on how the trio were arrested and confessed to the crime.
King stated, “These days, we have been experiencing communities being invaded by these boys, such as Idu Ekpeye, as the security coordinator of the community.
“I met with soldiers guarding facilities in our community. So today, we decided to be on guard to watch our environment. Today, dated 8th February 2026, at 1:30 pm, we sighted a motorcycle carrying someone who seems to be dead.”
He continued, “He drove towards a community called Idu Ekpeye. So upon tracing them, we discovered that they dropped a dead body in my community (Ukpeliede), and they left.
“I contacted soldiers guarding a facility in my community about what is happening close to their location. So we drove to the point where they kept the corpse, and we took pictures and left.
“Immediately we left, the bike man who dropped one Okpara Chinyere quickly went back and carried two other men, one Joshua and Friday Silas, to transfer the corpse to another corner.
“I and my men ran after them while they were going back to Okogbe community and stopped them on the road. I quickly contacted the soldiers and informed the DSS director in Akinima, who then notified the Divisional Police Officer of the Akinima Police Division and other security agencies.
“The suspects now led us to the scene where they transferred the corpse. Three persons where arrested.One Obed Godlove from Idu-Ekpeye community, Friday Silas and Ike Joshua from Okogbe community.
“They confessed that they killed the young man known as Ghadafi by torture. They said the deceased had been into stealing, stealing people’s palm fruits.
“They said he even stole a Youth corps member phone last year. The deceased has been terrorising the community. That they had reported to the DPO, the Area Command before now, but he(deceased) was still terrorizing the community.”
When contacted, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe Koko, confirmed the incident, saying the investigation is ongoing.
Iringe-Koko, a Chief Superintendent of Police, stated, “The suspect was involved in various cases of stealing.
“He was assaulted by community youths, which led to his death. Meanwhile, three suspects have been arrested in connection with the case, and investigations are ongoing.”
(Punch)
