Tension has gripped the Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State following a brazen late-night attack by unknown gunmen on the office of the Onelga Security Peace and Advisory Committee (OSPAC), a local vigilante outfit. The ambush claimed the life of a State Intelligence Service (SIS) operative and has sparked renewed concerns over rising insecurity in the region.
The incident occurred around 9 p.m. on Monday near the LGA Secretariat in Ahoada. Witnesses described hearing sustained gunfire that shattered the calm of the night, forcing residents to flee indoors in panic.
The slain officer, identified as Corporal Friday Francis of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS), was reportedly caught in the crossfire and fatally shot just outside the perimeter of the council premises. His death has been met with outrage from local leaders and deep unease among residents, many of whom fear escalating violence linked to gang and cult rivalries.
Although no group has taken responsibility for the assault, security sources believe the ambush may be the latest episode in a string of violent clashes fueled by cult-related conflicts festering in the Ahoada axis.
In the wake of the attack, Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, visited the crime scene on Tuesday morning and addressed officers deployed to the area. He condemned the killing in strong terms and vowed swift justice.
“This is not just an attack on a security facility—it is an affront to the stability of this entire community,” CP Adepoju stated. “We will not rest until the perpetrators are brought to justice. The Command will dismantle every criminal cell and root out this cult menace once and for all.”
The police have since intensified patrols and aerial surveillance across the troubled area, while investigators comb the crime scene for leads. Authorities have urged residents to remain alert and report suspicious activity to security agencies without delay.
An official investigation is underway, with early findings pointing to a possible resurgence of cultist activities previously suppressed by local security efforts.
As the community mourns the fallen officer, pressure is mounting on state security forces to deliver swift and visible results in restoring peace to Ahoada and its environs.
