Tragedy struck in Elele community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, as a 35-year-old father of two, identified as Confidence Ikechi, was allegedly beaten to death by members of a local vigilante group, the Organized Security Planning and Advisory Committee (OSPAC), following a domestic dispute.
The incident reportedly occurred late Friday night after Ikechi returned home from work around 11 p.m. and got into an altercation with a female co-tenant, whose identity was confirmed only as a girlfriend to one of the vigilante members.
According to Chiwenkpe Ikechi, the elder brother of the deceased, the argument escalated when the woman allegedly poured saliva on the deceased and slapped him. Confidence, in retaliation, reportedly slapped her back, prompting the woman and her son to attack him with sticks.
Chiwenkpe further alleged that the woman immediately contacted her boyfriend, identified as Godspower, a member of OSPAC. Godspower, alongside a fellow vigilante known as “J-Boy,” allegedly stormed the compound with weapons and began assaulting Ikechi with sticks and machetes.
“They struck him repeatedly on his chest, stomach, and back until he started bleeding profusely. He died shortly after,” Chiwenkpe told journalists in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
The grieving brother said he rushed to the local police station the following morning to report the incident. He added that one of the suspects even returned to the scene later to allegedly boast that the family and the community could do nothing to avenge the killing.
In a swift reaction, the Rivers State Police Command confirmed the incident. The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said all suspects involved — including the vigilante operatives, the woman, and her son — have been arrested.
She added that the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) in Port Harcourt for further investigation.
The incident has sparked outrage in the Elele community, with residents demanding justice and the regulation of vigilante activities in the area, especially those operating under OSPAC, which has faced repeated allegations of brutality in the past.
As of the time of filing this report, the remains of Confidence Ikechi had been deposited in a morgue, while the police continue their investigation into the brutal killing.
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