Rita Enemuru, Reporting
TWO members of a local vigilante group, including their leader, have been arrested in Ukpeliede community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, for allegedly torturing a man to death over accusations of palm fruit theft.
The suspects, identified as Joshua, Friday Silas and a commercial motorcyclist, Obed Godlove, were apprehended on Sunday by community youths with the support of the Joint Task Force while allegedly attempting to dispose of the victim’s body.
The deceased, identified as Mr Ghadafi, was accused of stealing palm fruits within the community and had reportedly been previously reported to the police.
However, the vigilante group allegedly took the law into their own hands, subjecting him to torture that led to his death.
The Chief Security Officer of Ukpeliede community, Mr Osiga King, disclosed that the suspects were intercepted after they were seen conveying a body on a motorcycle.
According to him, “On Saturday, 8 February 2026, at about 1:30pm, we sighted a motorcycle conveying someone who appeared lifeless towards Idu Ekpeye community. When we traced them, we discovered that the corpse had been abandoned in our community. We immediately alerted soldiers and other security agencies.
“Later, when the motorcyclist returned to pick Joshua and Friday Silas in an attempt to move the body to another location, we intercepted them. The suspects then led us to where the body had been taken.”
Mr King said three persons were arrested — Obed Godlove from Idu Ekpeye community, and Joshua and Friday Silas from Okogbe community — adding that they allegedly confessed to torturing Ghadafi to death.
He further claimed that the suspects justified their actions by alleging that the deceased had been terrorising the community through repeated thefts, including the alleged theft of a National Youth Service Corps member’s phone in the past, despite reports made to the police.
Confirming the incident, the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the suspects had been taken into custody and investigations had commenced.
“The deceased was alleged to have been involved in several stealing cases and an attempted rape of an NYSC member in 2023,” she stated. “He was reportedly assaulted by community members, which resulted in his death. Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the matter, and investigations are ongoing.”
