Two members of a local vigilante group in Okogbe community in Ahoada-West local government area of Rivers State, Mr Joshua and Friday Silas, as well as a commercial motorcyclist, Mr Godlove Obed, have been arrested for torturing a suspected thief, known as Gaddafi, to death.
The trio was arrested at Ukpeliede community, also in Ahoada-West LGA, through a combined effort of youths of the community and personnel of the Joint Task Force (JTF), where they had gone to dump the corpse of Gaddafi, who was accused of stealing palmfruits at Okogbe community.
Upon interrogation, Joshua, who is also the vice chairman of the Okogbe community vigilante, claimed that the victim had been terrorising the community, and they had to apprehend him with a view to banishing him from the community when he unfortunately died in the process.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), confirmed the arrests of three persons in connection with the death of the suspect, in a short message service (SMS) sent to journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Iringe-Koko said: “The suspect was involved in various cases of stealing and also attempted to rape an NYSC member in 2023. 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.”
Meanwhile, the security coordinator of Ukpeliede Community, Mr Osila King, in an interview with journalists, explained why they involved soldiers in the arrest of the trio.
