Police in Rivers State have arrested three people including two members of a community vigilante group and a commercial motorcyclist, over the alleged killing of a suspected thief in Okogbe community, Ahoada-West Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects identified as Joshua, Friday Silas and Godlove Obed, were accused of torturing a man known as Gaddafi to death after he was alleged to have stolen palm fruits in the community.

 

The arrests were carried out at Ukpeliede community, also in Ahoada-West LGA, following a joint operation involving community youths and operatives of the Joint Task Force. The trio was reportedly intercepted while attempting to dispose of the victim’s body.

During interrogation, Joshua, said to be the vice chairman of the Okogbe community vigilante group, reportedly claimed that the deceased had been a persistent security threat to the area. He explained that Gaddafi was apprehended with the intention of expelling him from the community, but died during the process.

 

The Rivers State Police Command confirmed the arrests through its spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Chief Superintendent of Police, who said investigations had commenced.

“The suspect was involved in several cases of stealing and also attempted to rape an NYSC member in 2023. He was assaulted by community youths, which led to his death,” Iringe-Koko revealed to journalists on Monday adding that the three suspects were currently in custody.