From Victor Edozie, in Port Harcourt
The Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eugene Epelle, has assured residents that all those involved in the killing of a young lady in the council area will be brought to justice.
Epelle gave the assurance while leading his team, along with security operatives, to Ogoda Community, where the body of the unnamed victim was recovered from a stream.
It was a considerable drive from Akinima, the council headquarters of Ahoada West LGA, to Ogoda, a rural, agrarian community, where the team eventually waded through the stream before recovering the body.
Giving an account of how the body was discovered, the Traditional Ruler of Ogoda Community, Chief Obutu Tom, said he first received information about the incident while in Port Harcourt.
“That was on the 12th. I was in Port Harcourt when I received the first phone call informing me that some boys, about five in number, had grouped themselves together, conspired, and abducted a girl from Ahoada Minta, Ahoada East, to Ogoda community. After which, the girl was killed; her breasts were removed, her private part was removed, and her heart was taken. They then went and dropped her body in a stream very close to the village,” he said.
Chief Tom said he immediately reported the matter to the police upon returning to the community.
“After I entered the community and carried out my preliminary investigation, I said no, I cannot allow such a thing to happen in my area. I had to do the needful, so I went to the police and gave my report to them,” he said.
He explained that it took days of coordination before the body was eventually recovered.
“Today, being the 19th of September 2026, the security men, the Ahoada East Chairman, the Ahoada West Chairman, and other prominent people moved down to Ogoda community. Without minding anything, we went into the swamp, and finally recovered the corpse floating on the water,” he said, adding that his informant had not disclosed the exact time or day the killing occurred, only that the report reached him on the 12th of September.
Speaking shortly after the recovery of the body, the Ahoada West Chairman, Eugene Epelle, condemned the killing and confirmed that two suspects are currently in police custody in connection with the incident.
“It was just yesterday. We were informed that there was a deceased person in the forest of Ogoda community, in Ahoada West Local Government Area. Without wasting time, we swung into action — the DPO, the JTF commander, all the security officers in Ahoada West, and my team,” Epelle said.
“We mobilised yesterday and were able to arrest two young men who are being investigated, based on information linking them to the death of this young lady.”
Epelle said the incident was the first of its kind since he assumed office, insisting that the council would not treat the matter lightly.
“This is the first time, to my surprise, that something like this has happened since I assumed office. That is why I will not take it kindly. I will make sure we get to the root of this matter. By all means, anyone found involved will face the law of the land. There is no forgiveness for taking someone’s life, because our government does not tolerate that kind of nonsense,” he said.
On the ongoing investigation, the council chairman expressed confidence in the police, while pledging to follow the matter through to prosecution.
“I am confident that the Nigerian Police Force will investigate this matter properly, because I will follow up personally. This matter will not end with investigation alone — it will go to court. We will fight for justice for this young lady. We believe in justice,” he said.
Epelle also sought to reassure residents of Ahoada West, describing security as his top priority since assuming office.
“I want to assure them, one hundred percent, that they can sleep with both eyes closed. As for me, I am not sleeping, because I see myself as their father. Security is my top priority, and I am following up on it closely. They should go and sleep; nothing will happen to them. That is why I always tell them — call me, no matter the time, and I will respond,” he said.
He further disclosed that the local government has continued to work closely with security agencies to tackle insecurity in the area. “We have already partnered with the security agencies, and because of that partnership, I believe Nigeria’s security agencies will not fail us. Whenever I call them, they respond. I believe they are doing well, and we too are doing well,” he said.
The Rivers State Police Command Public Relation Officer, ASP Agabe Kaborlo Blessing is yet respond to the incident.
