The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the killing of Francis Chibuzor Ogwu in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state, with an alleged OSPAC member arrested in connection with the incident.
The command also said the firearm allegedly used in the incident had been recovered, while an investigation was ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing.
The police spokesperson, ASP Agabe Blessing-Kaborlo, disclosed this in a statement, identifying the suspect as Felix Dibia.
Kaborlo said the command would ensure that due process was followed and that the outcome of the investigation was based strictly on facts and applicable law.
She warned that no OSPAC personnel or any other individual had the lawful authority to unlawfully take another person’s life, stressing that the right to life was guaranteed under Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
Meanwhile, the Organised Security Planning and Advisory Committee (OSPAC) has denied responsibility for the alleged killing, describing claims linking the organisation to the incident as ‘blatant lies’.
The OSPAC Public Relations Officer, Egbo Godknows Nkem, said the suspect, identified by the group as Chinasa Dibia, was not acting on behalf of OSPAC when the incident occurred.
Nkem said Dibia, a hunter who had previously participated in OSPAC activities, was on personal duty when he allegedly accosted Ogwu at about 2:20 a.m. on 1 October in Omoku.
He stressed that Dibia was not operating under any directive or authority of OSPAC at the time of the incident.
According to him, OSPAC General Commander, Felix Nwaobakata, had handed Dibia over to the police for investigation.
Nkem urged the police to expedite the investigation and establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, reaffirming OSPAC’s commitment to operating within the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and working with conventional security agencies to protect lives and property in the area.