At least eight people were shot by suspected members of a local vigilante group in Elele, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. However, the police confirmed that four people were injured in the attack, which took place on Wednesday at Elele Roundabout along the Port Harcourt-Owerri Road.
Reports indicate that the gunmen, believed to be members of the Elele Security Planning and Advisory Committee (ESPAC), attacked some youths discussing the ongoing political crisis in the state.
A local source claimed that the OSPAC commander, who leads a faction of the PDP in Elele, opened fire on supporters of Governor Sim Fubara, leaving many injured and in the hospital with bullet wounds.
The source also alleged that the commander had threatened to eliminate all of Fubara’s supporters in Elele.
The Rivers State Police Command confirmed the arrest of one suspect linked to the attack. According to the police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, officers acted on intelligence about a gathering of suspected hoodlums.
She explained that at about 7 a.m. on March 5, 2025, a patrol team from Elele Division moved to restore order at the scene when an unidentified attacker opened fire, injuring several people.
The gunmen fled, but one suspect was caught, and a single-barrel gun was recovered. The victims were rushed to hospitals for treatment.
A manhunt is ongoing for the other attackers, who are believed to be part of the local vigilante group, OSPAC. The police assured the public that all those responsible would be brought to justice.
