Police officer, vigilante man killed in deadly attack by cultists in Rivers

There was heightened tension in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State on Monday, night following an attack by gunmen on a local security outfit around the council secretariat.
DAILY POST gathered that sustained gunfire around the vicinity of the council triggered panic and confusion across surrounding communities.
The incident occurred just days after the Sole Administrator of the council was reportedly attacked by local youths and allegedly compelled to sign a resignation letter, a letter he has since denied.
Reacting to the latest violence, the Rivers State Police Command confirmed the attack in a statement issued on Tuesday.
Condemning what it described as “the brutal attack carried out by suspected cultists,” the police disclosed that the assailants were led by two individuals identified as Umegbewe Kingsley, a.k.a. ‘Gutam’, and another known as Opaka (surname unknown).
According to the Command, both men are believed to be leaders of the notorious Iceland cult group.
In the statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the alleged cultists reportedly stormed the OSPAC (local vigilante) office adjacent to the Ahoada East Council Secretariat and opened fire on its operatives.
The police revealed that during the attack, an OSPAC operative, Ngozi Ipah, was shot.
The attackers also killed a police officer, Corporal Francis Friday, who was on special duty at the council secretariat as part of the Special Intervention Squad, SIS.
The statement added, “Responding swiftly, Police patrol teams led by the Divisional Police Officer arrived at the scene, but the attackers had already fled.
“Both victims were rushed to the Ahoada General Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds but were pronounced dead on arrival.
“Their bodies have been deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy.”
According to the Command, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, has since visited the scene of the attack and deployed tactical teams to the area.
“He directed the Area Commander and DPO to intensify efforts to track down and arrest the perpetrators.
“The CP has vowed that the killers of the police officer and the OSPAC operative will not escape justice.
“The Command urges residents to remain calm and cooperative by reporting any suspicious individuals or activities to the nearest police station,” the statement added.
Police officer, vigilante man killed in deadly attack by cultists in Rivers