Joshua, a local vigilante leader, his associate Friday Silas, and a motorcyclist Obed Godlove have been arrested by youths and the Joint Task Force in Ukpeliede community, Ahoada West Local Government Area, on Sunday, February 8, 2026, after allegedly torturing a man identified as Ghadafi to death over suspicions that he stole palm fruits.
The youths stopped the suspects while t attempting to dispose of the victim’s body.
Disturbing images and videos circulating on social media showed how the victim, Ghadafi was bound with ropes, highlighting the brutality of his assailants.
In a leaked interrogation video, Joshua claimed the victim had been terrorizing the community and that their initial intent was to apprehend and banish him, a move that tragically resulted in his death.
The Chief Security Officer of Ukpeliede Community, Mr. Osiga King, said the suspects were apprehended on February 8, 2026, at about 1:30 pm, after they were spotted on a motorcycle carrying what appeared to be a dead body and riding towards Idu Ekpeye.
He confirmed that all three suspects after they were rounded up led authorities to the scene where the body had been transferred.
He added that the suspects confessed to have killed the victim in cold blood, accusing him of being an unrepentant serial thief, terrorising the area.
He said: “Upon tracing them, we discovered they had abandoned the corpse in our community. We immediately alerted soldiers and security agencies, and when the perpetrators returned with two others to move the body, we intercepted them.
“Today dated 8th February 2026 as at 1:30pm we sighted a motorcycle carrying someone that seems to be dead. They drove towards a community called Idu Ekpeye. So upon tracing them, we discovered that they dropped a dead body in my community (Ukpeliede) and they left. I contacted soldiers guarding a facility in my community about what is happening close to their location. So we drove to the point where they kept the corpse and we took pictures and left.
“Immediately we left, the bike man who dropped one Okpara Chinyere quickly went back and carried two other men, one Joshua and Friday Silas to transfer the corpse to another corner.”
He added: “I and my men ran after them while they were going back to Okogbe community and stopped them on the road. I quickly contacted the soldiers and informed the DSS director in Akinima who informed the DPO of Akinima Police Division and other security agencies.
“The suspects now led us to the scene where they transferred the corpse.Three persons were arrested. One Obed Godlove from Idu-Ekpeye community, Friday Silas and Joshua from Okogbe community.
“They confessed that they killed the young man known as Ghadafi by torture in the presence of their Paramount ruler.
“They said the deceased had been into stealing people’s palm fruit. They said he even stole a youth corps member phone last year. That the deceased has been terrorizing the community. That they had reported to the DPO, the Area Command before now but he (deceased) was still terrorizing the community,” Mr King added.
Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command,CSP Grace Iringe-Koko said the suspects have been taken into custody, adding that an investigation had been launched.
She said: “The suspect was involved in various cases of stealing and also attempted to rape of an NYSC member in 2023.
“He was assaulted by community youths, which led to his death. Meanwhile, three suspects have been arrested in connection with the case, and investigations are ongoing.”