Unknown gunmen launched an attack on the office of the local vigilante group, OSPAC, in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State on Saturday night, leaving one operative with a bullet wound. The incident occurred at approximately 8:10 p.m. at the OSPAC headquarters on Erema Street in Omoku.
Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants arrived in an ash-coloured Lexus Jeep along with another vehicle and opened sporadic fire on the facility, causing panic as residents and passersby fled for safety. The Public Relations Officer of OSPAC in Rivers State, Mr. Godknows Nkem, confirmed the attack in a telephone interview, stating that the group's guards eventually repelled the gunmen.
According to Nkem, the vigilante office operates as an open centre where residents can freely report security concerns and seek assistance. He said: "OSPAC security is an open office where every human being comes to lodge a complaint to meet their needs. At that hour of the day, the unknown gunmen drove in and started shooting sporadically. Nobody died, no casualty, but one of our personnel sustained a bullet injury on his ankle. Our station guards later repelled the attack."
Nkem described OSPAC as a strong security force within the area and insisted that the group remained committed to maintaining peace and security in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area. "OSPAC has been known by its name. The fear of OSPAC is the beginning of wisdom in entire ONELGA," he stated. However, he lamented the poor welfare situation facing members of the vigilante outfit, alleging that the group had not received adequate support in recent months. "Just that for the past eight months this administration came on board, our welfare has not been catered for. We have been struggling to survive," he added.
The OSPAC spokesman urged residents not to panic over the incident, assuring them that the group was on top of the situation. "We are advising residents of ONELGA to be law-abiding and go about their normal business. The God of grace and power of OSPAC is on top of the matter. Nobody should be scared. The perpetrators will meet their doom," he said.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the attack. The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, said investigations had commenced to identify and arrest those responsible for the shooting. "I can confirm the incident. Investigation is ongoing to unmask the identities of the perpetrators with a view to bringing them to justice," the police spokesperson stated.
