Three men, including a local vigilante leader, have been arrested by the Rivers State Police Command in connection with the torture and death of a man accused of theft in Ahoada West Local Government Area. The incident, which occurred on February 8, 2026, has sparked renewed concerns about extrajudicial violence and mob justice in the region.
The suspects have been identified as Joshua, described as a vigilante leader in the community, Friday Silas, and Obed Godlove, a motorcycle operator. The victim, known as Ghadafi, allegedly died from injuries sustained during severe physical assault by the trio.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the three men accused Ghadafi of theft and disrupting community peace. However, rather than handing him over to law enforcement authorities, they allegedly took matters into their own hands with fatal consequences.
The suspects were apprehended after vigilant community members observed them attempting to dispose of the victim's body in a neighboring community. Concerned residents immediately alerted security personnel, including soldiers and community security officers who were patrolling the area at the time.
Members of a Joint Task Force and community security officers intervened swiftly, intercepting the suspects as they tried to dump Ghadafi's remains. The men were detained at the scene and subsequently handed over to the Rivers State Police Command for further investigation.
During preliminary interrogation, Joshua reportedly admitted to the assault but claimed that the group's intention was merely to banish Ghadafi from the community, not to kill him. He stated that the victim died as a result of the beating they administered, suggesting the death was unintentional.
"We only wanted to drive him out of the community because of his repeated offenses," Joshua allegedly told investigators. "We did not plan for him to die. It happened while we were disciplining him."
The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed that all three suspects are currently in custody and are being held for further questioning. Authorities have indicated that the men will face appropriate charges once investigations are completed.
The body of the deceased has been deposited in a mortuary for autopsy, which will help establish the exact cause of death and the extent of injuries inflicted on the victim. Medical examination results are expected to form a crucial part of the evidence in the case.
Legal experts have noted that the suspects could face charges ranging from manslaughter to murder, depending on the findings of the investigation and autopsy report. The involvement of a vigilante leader in the incident has also raised questions about the operations of informal security groups in rural communities.
Human rights advocates have condemned the incident, describing it as another troubling example of jungle justice that continues to plague Nigerian communities. They have called on authorities to prosecute the perpetrators to the full extent of the law and to intensify public education campaigns against taking the law into one's hands.
Community leaders in Ahoada West have expressed shock and sadness over the incident, with many calling for proper channels of justice to be respected. Several residents emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between vigilante groups and formal law enforcement agencies to prevent such tragedies.
The Rivers State Police Command has urged citizens to always report suspected criminals to law enforcement rather than resorting to mob action or extrajudicial punishment. A spokesperson for the command emphasized that taking the law into one's hands undermines the justice system and often results in tragic and irreversible outcomes.
As investigations continue, the police have called on anyone with additional information about the incident to come forward. Authorities have assured the public that justice will be served and that measures are being put in place to prevent similar occurrences in the future.