Two siblings, Collins Ugorji and Newman Ugorji, have been killed in Idu community, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The cousin of the deceased, Wade Ugorji, said in Port Harcourt that Collins and Newman had gone to Idu area of the state to visit a relation when they were arrested by the members of the Onelga Security Peace and Advisory Committee (OSPAC) vigilante group.
He said the security men accused his cousins of being kidnappers, took them to custody and consequently shot them to death.
He said the victims’ motorbike as well as their other personal belongings were taken away by the vigilante group.
He said Norman and Collins Ugorji were killed on May 1, adding that they heard of the news on May 2.
“We heard news that two kidnappers were killed at Idu, as their pictures went viral on social media. I was called by someone who recognised them. We went to the Omoku Police Division and reported the matter. The DPO and his men and two of my brothers went to Idu community. One of the OSPAC members was threatening the DPO, saying if not that he is the DPO, he would not have taken it lightly with him.
“The vigilante member threatened and warned the DPO not to come back to the area again. As of this moment, their corpses are nowhere to be found. They hid the bodies as soon as they discovered that the two brothers were innocent, but their ploy could not work because some people within the area took pictures of the corpses. The slippers of Mr Newman was recovered in Idu OSPAC office with blood stains.”
Wade called on the state governor, the IGP and the state Commissioner of Police and well-meaning citizens of Rivers to come to his aid and ensure that the killers of his cousins are apprehended.
The Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe Koko, said the DPO of Omoku Police Division with his patrol team had visited Idu community.
She said one of the vigilante members and four other suspects had been arrested in connection with the murder, adding that the case had been transferred to State Criminal and Investigation Department for discreet investigation.