Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Gunmen suspected to be cultists have killed a youth leader, Comrade Ifeanyi Azuazu, and his personal aide, Chigozie Oluwu, in Omoku, situated in the Ogba‑Egbema‑Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, in a brutal attack that shocked residents and triggered a major security response.
The incident occurred on Thursday evening, February 5, 2026, when seven armed men in two vehicles stormed a popular pub along Ogolo Street, off Palace Road, around 6:00 p.m. local time. Eyewitness reports indicate the assailants appeared to be targeting Azuazu, who served as President of the Omoku Youth Federation.
According to accounts from local security officials and community members, the attackers confronted Azuazu before ordering him into one of their vehicles at gunpoint. When his aide, Oluwu, attempted to intervene, he was shot and killed on the spot. The assailants then abducted Azuazu and drove off, instilling panic in the town and sparking fears among residents who fled for safety as shops were hurriedly shut down.
The following afternoon, members of the Ogba‑Egbema‑Ndoni Local Government Area Security and Planning Advisory Committee (OSPAC) recovered Azuazu’s body in a forest in the Omoku area, beheaded and lifeless, confirming his death. Officials described the discovery as deeply disturbing and urged the public to remain calm as security agencies pursue the perpetrators.
Authorities, including the Rivers State Police Command, have characterized the attacks as cult‑related violence, a persistent security concern in parts of the state where rival cult groups have long been involved in criminality and territorial disputes. The police confirmed the killings through their spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe‑Koko, and disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, has ordered a full‑scale investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible.
The killings have reignited fear among residents of Omoku, a town that has experienced waves of violence and cult-related clashes over the years. Community leaders and security officials have condemned the attack, emphasizing the need for enhanced patrols and intelligence‑led operations to arrest suspects and prevent similar attacks.
Cultism in Rivers State and other parts of the Niger Delta has historically been linked to criminal networks involved in kidnappings, armed robbery, political violence and clashes between rival confraternities. The violence has at times spilled over into civilian communities, exacerbating insecurity and prompting demands for stronger enforcement and social interventions to address the root causes of cult proliferation.
Residents in Omoku and neighbouring communities have called on the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police, and other security agencies to intensify operations and bring the perpetrators to justice. Local civic groups and youth organisations expressed shock over the brutality of the killings, particularly the beheading of a community leader, and stressed the need for proactive measures to protect citizens and restore a sense of safety.
As investigations continue, authorities have been urged to provide updates on arrests and progress in the case. The community, while mourning the loss of Azuazu and his aide, continues to demand accountability and enhanced security in an environment where cult activities have long undermined stability and eroded public confidence.
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