A key suspect in the recent killing of a police corporal and a local vigilante operative in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State has denied any involvement in the attack.
The suspect, identified as Umegbewe Kingsley, popularly known as ‘Gutam’, issued an audio message to our correspondent, denying responsibility for the death of the police officer. He also refuted claims that he was present at the Ahoada East Council Secretariat during the attack.
Gutam admitted visiting the local security outfit, OSPAC, but said his purpose was to retrieve one of his injured associates who had been involved in a gun duel with OSPAC operatives. He accused the vigilante group of extrajudicial killings, alleging that some of his associates were killed despite committing no crime. He further claimed that his properties were destroyed and called on the police to launch an investigation into the actions of OSPAC.
The Rivers State Police Command had on Wednesday issued a statement condemning the deadly assault on the OSPAC office near the council secretariat. Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, had named ‘Gutam’ and another suspect, ‘Opaka’, as leaders of the gang responsible for the attack.
The command assured the public that efforts were underway to bring the perpetrators to justice.
