The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a legal practitioner, Barrister Akpudi Ikechukwu, alongside two other suspects in connection with a shooting incident during a masquerade display in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, which left one person dead and eight others injured.
The Command’s Spokesperson, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Grace Iringe Koko, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, confirming that the police had commenced a full investigation into the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, January 19, 2026, along Sambo Street, Omoku.
According to the statement, the Omoku Police Division received information at about 7:00 a.m. through credible sources that the incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. while some youths were engaged in a masquerade procession along Sambo Street.
During the display, a confrontation reportedly broke out involving Barrister Akpudi Ikechukwu and four personnel of the Nigeria Forest Guards Security Service (NFSS).
CSP Koko stated that during the confrontation, nine members of the masquerade group sustained gunshot injuries. One of the victims, identified simply as Obulo, was later confirmed dead at the Hospital, Omoku, while eight others are currently receiving medical treatment at the same facility.
“Following the incident, Barrister Akpudi Ikechukwu and two other suspects were promptly arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for detailed investigation,” the police spokesperson said.
She added that preliminary investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and to establish the level of culpability of all parties involved.
In response to rising tension in the community, CSP Koko said the Area Commander personally engaged aggrieved youths in Omoku to calm nerves and prevent a breakdown of law and order. She further disclosed that a joint security patrol comprising police officers and military personnel has been deployed to the area to ensure the safety of lives and property.
“The Rivers State Police Command assures the public that all those found culpable in this incident will be brought to justice,” the statement concluded.
As of the time of filing this report, calm was gradually returning to Omoku, while residents await the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
