The Executive Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State, Chijioke Ihunwo, has ordered the immediate disbandment of the local security group known as OSPAC.
Ihunwo, a close ally of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, stated that the decision came after complaints about OSPAC’s conduct, including accusations of misuse of power and excessive force.
The announcement was made on November 11, 2024, following a security meeting held at the council’s executive chamber.
The meeting included leaders from all security agencies within the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, as well as the heads of the police and other enforcement teams.
The security meeting was also attended by all 17 DPOs, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), heads of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security officials working in Obio/Akpor.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Ihunwo explained that the decision aims to address growing concerns about OSPAC’s operations, which he described as “out of control.” According to him, certain community leaders had allegedly been using the group for personal disputes, creating fear and insecurity in their communities.
He said: “Beginning from today, we have banned OSPAC in Obio/Akpor, by tomorrow we are going to meet with the leadership and members of OSPAC in our LGA, this is because some paramount rulers have OSPAC which they use to fight their rivals, our intention is to profile members of this group to know who and who is carrying arms and for what purpose, in some cases you can see most of them dressed in black attire and carrying guns without approval from the police, we have already notified the commissioner of police on this move and that is why we are going to meet with them tomorrow, if you go to Alakahia, they have two OSPAC, same in Akpor and we can’t allow this to continue, they use this to loot people, some of them even have cells where the lock innocent people, this cannot continue now that we are in charge of affairs of the council.”
The meeting also addressed another growing problem: “One Chance” gangs.
Ihunwo cited a recent incident where a victim was killed by such a gang on G.U. Ake Road. He described the crime as tragic and unacceptable and directed local police to intensify efforts to stop these gangs.
“On this issue of One Chance, a lot of people have been looted, a victim even died two days ago when he was pushed down along the G.U. Ake road, so we have to deal with it head-on, that is why I have notified all the DPOs in our LGA to immediately put motion in place to end this criminal act, we have to fish out these criminal elements who are perpetrating evil in our local government.”l