Security operatives in Ahoada West Local Council of Rivers State have arrested a vigilante vice chairman and two others for allegedly torturing a young man to death and attempting to dump his corpse in a neighbouring community.

The suspects — identified as Joshua, vice chairman of the Okogbe Vigilante outfit; Friday Silas, a member of the group; and a commercial motorcyclist, Obed Godlove — were apprehended on Sunday, February 8, 2026, in Ukpeliede community while allegedly trying to dispose of the body of the deceased, identified simply as Ghadafi.

Sources said the victim had been accused of stealing palm fruits in Okogbe community. The suspects were reportedly intercepted by members of a youth group and a joint task force in Ukpeliede after they were sighted transporting what appeared to be a lifeless body on a motorcycle at about 1:30 p.m.

Confirming the incident, the Chief Security Officer of Ukpeliede community, Mr Osiga King, said his team had heightened surveillance following reports of security breaches in nearby communities. He explained that security personnel documented the scene and alerted soldiers guarding critical facilities in the area, leading to the arrest of the suspects when they allegedly returned with two other men to move the corpse to another location.

Gruesome images and videos of the deceased reportedly showed the victim naked, with his hands and legs bound with ropes, suggesting he might have been subjected to torture before his death. In a leaked interrogation video, Joshua was said to have claimed that the deceased had been terrorising the community and was apprehended with the intention of banishing him when he “unfortunately died in the process.”

According to community sources, the suspects alleged that the deceased had been involved in repeated thefts, including palm fruits and a mobile phone belonging to a corps member, adding that the matter had earlier been reported to the police.

The suspects were also said to have confessed that the victim was tortured in the presence of their traditional ruler.
The incident has raised concerns over the activities of local vigilante groups and the growing trend of jungle justice in some communities across the state.

The Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, stating that investigations are ongoing.