Tensions ran high in Omagwa Community, located in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Sunday, as hundreds of women and youths took to the streets in protest following the brutal killing of Bright Chukwuma Egbule by police officers. Egbule, a father of six, was allegedly shot dead on Saturday by officers from the Omagwa Police Division after a brief altercation.
The protestors, armed with the lifeless body of the victim, blocked the Omagwa section of the Port Harcourt–Owerri Road, demanding justice for Egbule. The crowd, initially intent on setting the police station ablaze in retaliation, was calmed when the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Israel Agbosi, intervened. Agbosi promised that the officers responsible for the killing would be brought to justice, urging the community to remain peaceful.
A family source disclosed to the *Daily Independent* that on the night of the incident, Egbule was at his home with his wife when police officers stormed their compound. The officers, reportedly searching for a drug dealer, allegedly opened fire on the father of six. According to the source, “The officers came here with full force. They said they were looking for a drug dealer, but instead, they killed an innocent man.”
In response to the killing, the community mobilized and blocked the federal road with Egbule’s body. They demanded that the police identify and bring to justice those responsible for his death. One of the protestors stated, “We want the police to provide those officers who killed Chukwuma. All we need is justice for Chukwuma.”
Addressing the crowd, the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Israel Agbosi, condemned the incident as “unacceptable and unfortunate.” He called on the angry youths not to take matters into their own hands and promised the community that the local government would ensure the responsible officers would face legal consequences. Agbosi also urged the Commissioner of Police to thoroughly investigate the incident and hold the officers accountable.
In a statement, the Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident. She reported that the officers involved in the killing had been arrested and are currently in detention as an investigation is underway. Iringe-Koko added that the victim’s body had been deposited in the morgue, and peace had since been restored to the area.
The tragic killing of Bright Chukwuma Egbule has sparked outrage within the community, and the call for justice remains at the forefront of the ongoing protests.
