By Polycarp Nwaeke
The killing of the President of the Omoku Youth Federation, Comrade Ifeanyi Azuazu, and his aide, Chigozie Oluwu, in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State, has continued to generate widespread discussion among residents of the area.
Reports indicate that Ifeanyi Azuazu was killed after being abducted, while his aide, Chigozie Oluwu, was shot dead by the attackers while attempting to intervene and protect his principal.
The Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed that the body of Ifeanyi Azuazu has been recovered. According to her, preliminary investigations suggest that the incident was gang-related, with cult groups suspected to be involved.
Speaking to journalists on Friday, a day after the incident, the Public Relations Officer of OSPAC (Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area Security and Planning Advisory Committee), Godknows Nkem, stated that Azuazu’s body was recovered from a forest following his abduction and the earlier killing of his aide.
According to Nkem, “Based on intelligence reports and the effectiveness of OSPAC security operations in ONELGA, we were able to recover the lifeless body of Mr. Ifeanyi Azuazu.”
The attack reportedly took place at a popular drinking spot along Ogolo Street, off Palace Road, in Omoku, where gunmen suspected to be cultists carried out the assault.
Chigozie Oluwu was killed at the scene while attempting to protect his boss, after which Azuazu was forcefully taken away and later killed.
Nkem added that although the community remains in a solemn mood, peace has been restored, and residents have resumed their normal activities. He emphasized that Omoku is known as a peaceful community.
He further urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
“OSPAC Security is advising all citizens of ONELGA to remain calm and allow the conventional police, the DSS, Civil Defence, and OSPAC to carry out their duties,” he said.
It will be recalled that last Thursday, news broke that gunmen suspected to be gang members shot dead Chigozie Oluwu and abducted the President of the Omoku Youth Federation, Ifeanyi Azuazu.
The incident caused panic in the area, as residents and passers-by fled for safety and business owners hurriedly closed their shops. The assailants were reportedly seven in number and arrived in two vehicles, ordering Azuazu into one of them before fleeing the scene.
