‎Cultists kill youth leader, aide in Rivers

‎Port Harcourt, Rivers State — Gunmen suspected to be cultists have killed the President of the Omoku Youth Federation and his personal aide in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, authorities and community sources confirmed.
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‎The victims were identified as Comrade Ifeanyi Azuazu, leader of the youth federation, and his aide, Chigozie Oluwu.
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‎According to informants, the attackers — believed to be armed cult members — struck around 6 p.m. on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at a popular pub along Ogolo Street off Palace Road in Omoku town. Roughly seven assailants in two vehicles confronted the youth leader, ordering him into one of the cars.
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‎When Oluwu attempted to intervene, he was immediately shot and killed at the scene. Azuazu was then taken away by the gunmen.
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‎The incident caused widespread panic among residents and passersby, forcing many to flee and prompting some shop owners to hastily close their businesses.
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‎On Friday afternoon, local vigilante members recovered Azuazu’s body without its head in a bush outside the town, according to the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area Security and Planning Advisory Committee (OSPAC).
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‎OSPAC’s Public Relations Officer, Godnews Nkem, condemned the attack and urged residents to remain calm while security agencies — including the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) — investigate the killings.
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‎Rivers State Police Command spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko also confirmed that the double murder was cult-related. She said the Commissioner of Police has ordered a full-scale investigation aimed at apprehending those responsible and ensuring they face justice.