Tragedy : Tension Mount in Omoku Following Cult-Related Violence that Claims two lives in Rivers.
Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Council of Rivers State was thrown into shock and mourning on Thursday evening after a violent attack by gunmen suspected to be cultists, resulting in the deaths of two individuals, including the President of the Omoku Youth Federation, Comrade Ifeanyi Azuazu.
The incident occurred around 6pm on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at a popular drinking establishment along Ogolo Street, off Palace Road, in Omoku, the administrative center of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State.
Eyewitnesses reported that about seven assailants arrived in two vehicles and immediately targeted their victim. Upon spotting Azuazu, the gunmen reportedly aimed their weapons at him and ordered him into one of the vehicles.
Trouble ensued when Chigozie Oluwu, said to be the personal aide of the youth leader, attempted to intervene. He was instantly shot dead by the attackers.
The gunmen then forcibly abducted Comrade Azuazu and fled the scene. The attack caused widespread panic, with residents and passersby fleeing for safety and business owners closing their shops amid fears of further violence.
Tragically, efforts to rescue the youth leader proved futile as his body was discovered the following afternoon.
The ONELGA Security and Planning Advisory Committee (OSPAC) confirmed that his headless remains were found in a forest in Omoku.
In a telephone interview, OSPAC spokesperson Mr. Godnews Nkem stated that the corpse was recovered several hours after his abduction. He confirmed that while Chigozie Oluwu was killed during the attack, Azuazu was taken alive but later murdered by his captors.
“OSPAC operatives, in collaboration with local security networks, recovered the headless body of Omoku Youth Federation President in a forest on Friday afternoon,” Nkem said. “The killing was brutal and tragic.”
He urged residents to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands. Security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS), have commenced investigations to identify and apprehend those responsible.
Residents expressed deep concern and anger over the incident, calling on authorities to reinforce security measures to prevent further attacks.
The Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, CSP Grace Iringe Koko, confirmed the events and labeled the killing as cult-related. The police have ordered a full investigation into the matter.
The incident has heightened tensions in Omoku and neighboring communities, with residents demanding swift justice and action to curb cult-related violence.
