•Gunmen
A deadly shooting incident in Omoku town, in Ogba /Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, yesterday, Monday, January 19, 2026, has left one person dead and eight others injured.
The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. along Sambo Street during a masquerade procession, when a clash erupted involving one Barrister Akpudi Ikechukwu and four personnel of the Nigeria Forest Guards Security Service (NFSS).
A statement issued by the Rivers State Police Command Spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, today, disclosed that nine members of the masquerade group sustained gunshot wounds during the confrontation.
Iringe-Koko further stated that one of the victims, identified simply as Obulo, died at Omoku Hospital in the wake of the incident, while eight others are receiving treatment.
She said, “During the incident, nine members of the masquerade group sustained gunshot injuries.
“One of the victims, identified as Obulo, was confirmed dead at the Hospital, Omoku, while eight others are currently receiving medical treatment at the same facility.”
Iringe-Koko confirmed that following the shooting, the suspects, Akpudi Ikechukwu and two others, were arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
She said the Rivers State Police Command has launched an investigation into the clash and the role of all parties, noting that the Area Commander engaged local youths to promote calm while joint police and military patrols were deployed to secure the community.
She assured the public that anyone found responsible will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
“Preliminary investigations are ongoing to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident and the level of culpability of all parties involved.
“In the meantime, the Area Commander personally addressed aggrieved youths in the community to calm tensions and prevent a breakdown of law and order. A joint security patrol comprising the Police and the Military has been deployed in the area to ensure the safety of lives and property.
“The Rivers State Police Command assures the public that all those found culpable will be brought to justice.”
