Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A devastating attack in Omoku, the headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, has claimed the lives of a local security commander and three women, plunging the community into mourning and fear. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening, July 21, 2026, along Oba Road in Omoku, when suspected cultists opened fire on Ozomela Stephen Nwaocha, the zonal commander of the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area Security Planning and Advisory Committee, also known as OSPAC, and several others who were with him. Witnesses told Punch that Nwaocha was relaxing outside his compound with the women when the assailants struck, killing him and three women, including his sister, instantly. Two other victims sustained gunshot wounds and are currently receiving treatment in a hospital.
The attack has sent shockwaves through the community, with many residents fearing a return to the dark days of widespread violence that plagued the area before the establishment of community-based security outfits like OSPAC. Some residents expressed concern that the killing could signal a resurgence of the violent attacks and indiscriminate killings that characterised the “Don Wanie” era, a period associated with widespread cult-related violence in parts of the area. Several OSPAC members have been killed in recent times, raising fears that the security situation in the oil-producing community may be deteriorating. Videos of the aftermath circulating on social media showed multiple casualties, including the three women, with residents, some believed to be relatives of the victims, crying at the scene while others carried the injured into vehicles.
The Public Relations Officer of OSPAC in Rivers State, Nkem Godknows, confirmed the incident, stating that the gunmen attacked the commander while he was sitting with his sister and her friend near his residence at about 5:05 p.m. on Tuesday. "Our commander was hanging out with his sister and friend around his neighbourhood. Before you know it, the gunmen got there and shot him dead," Godknows said. "There are three women that died on the spot, while two others are in the hospital with bullet wounds. We reported it to the police immediately." Godknows appealed to residents to remain calm and not to panic, assuring them that security agencies were working to uncover those behind the attack. He also made a passionate appeal to the Rivers State Government and well-meaning Nigerians to provide greater support for OSPAC members, who he said operate under difficult conditions with little or no financial support despite the risks involved in protecting their communities.
The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the attack and expressed sadness over the incident, describing it as a setback to the relative peace being enjoyed in the state. The command's spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, strongly condemned the attack and reiterated the commitment to ensuring that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted. "The Rivers State Police Command is saddened by this incident, which has disturbed the relative peace being enjoyed in the state," she said. "The command condemns this act in its entirety and assures that the perpetrators will be brought to justice." The police have launched a full-scale investigation and appealed to members of the public to provide credible information that could assist in the probe.
The African Democratic Congress, Rivers State Chapter, also condemned the attack, describing it as barbaric, senseless, and unacceptable. The party expressed disappointment with what it considered the inadequate response of the Chairman of the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Council to the tragedy, stating that leadership is about standing with the people in their darkest moments. The ADC called for a thorough, professional, and transparent investigation into the crime, demanding that all individuals found to have participated in or facilitated the attack be brought before the law to answer for their actions.
The killing of the OSPAC commander and the three women has renewed concerns over the security situation in Omoku and the wider Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, a region that has witnessed periods of violent criminal activity in the past. Residents have urged authorities to act swiftly to apprehend those responsible and implement stronger security measures to prevent further bloodshed. The incident also underscores the precarious position of community-based security volunteers who often operate without adequate government support, despite their critical role in complementing the efforts of conventional security agencies. As the police investigation continues, the community remains on edge, hoping for justice and a return to normalcy. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but some sources suggest it may have been a reprisal following a violent clash linked to a community dispute. The Rivers State Police Command has called for calm and urged residents to go about their normal activities while security agencies work to bring the perpetrators to justice.
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