Ahoada West Chairman Vows Justice as Young Woman’s Body Is Recovered From Ogoda Stream

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The Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eugene Epelle, has vowed to ensure justice for a young woman whose body was recovered from a stream in Ogoda Community.

Epelle made the pledge on Saturday September 19, 2026, while leading his team, alongside security operatives and other stakeholders, to the rural community where the body was recovered. Giving an account of how the incident came to his attention, the Traditional Ruler of Ogoda Community, Chief Obutu Tom, said he first received information about the incident while he was in Port Harcourt.

“That was on the 12th. I was in Port Harcourt when I received the first phone call informing me that some boys, about five in number, had grouped themselves together, conspired, and abducted a girl from Ahoada Minta, Ahoada East, to Ogoda community. After which, the girl was killed, her breasts were removed, her private part was removed, and her heart was taken. They then went and dropped her body in a stream very close to the village,” he said.

Chief Tom said he reported the matter to the police after returning to the community.

“After I entered the community and carried out my preliminary investigation, I said no, I cannot allow such a thing to happen in my area. I had to do the needful, so I went to the police and gave my report to them,” he said.

He explained that several days of coordination with security authorities and other stakeholders eventually led to the recovery of the body.

“Today, being the 19th of September 2026, the security men, the Ahoada East Chairman, the Ahoada West Chairman, and other prominent people moved down to Ogoda community. Without minding anything, we went into the swamp, and finally recovered the corpse floating on the water,” he said.

Chief Tom added that the informant who initially alerted him did not provide the exact date or time the killing occurred, but only told him that the report had reached him on September 12.

Speaking after the recovery, Ahoada West Chairman, Eugene Epelle condemned the incident and disclosed that two suspects had been arrested and were in police custody.

“It was just yesterday. We were informed that there was a deceased person in the forest of Ogoda community, in Ahoada West Local Government Area. Without wasting time, we swung into action — the DPO, the JTF commander, all the security officers in Ahoada West, and my team.

We mobilised yesterday and were able to arrest two young men who are being investigated, based on information linking them to the death of this young lady.”

The local government chairman said the incident was the first of its kind since he assumed office and vowed that the matter would be thoroughly investigated.

“This is the first time, to my surprise, that something like this has happened since I assumed office. That is why I will not take it kindly. I will make sure we get to the root of this matter. By all means, anyone found involved will face the law of the land. There is no forgiveness for taking someone’s life, because our government does not tolerate that kind of nonsense,” he said.

Epelle however expressed confidence in the Nigerian Police Force to conduct a proper investigation and promised to personally follow up on the case until it gets to court.

“I am confident that the Nigerian Police Force will investigate this matter properly, because I will follow up personally. This matter will not end with investigation alone, it will go to court. We will fight for justice for this young lady. We believe in justice,” he said.

The chairman also reassured residents of Ahoada West that the local government would continue to prioritise their safety.

“I want to assure them, one hundred percent, that they can sleep with both eyes closed. As for me, I am not sleeping, because I see myself as their father. Security is my top priority, and I am following up on it closely. They should go and sleep; nothing will happen to them. That is why I always tell them — call me, no matter the time, and I will respond,” he said.

Epelle further disclosed that the local government is working with security agencies to address insecurity in the area.

“We have already partnered with the security agencies, and because of that partnership, I believe Nigeria’s security agencies will not fail us. Whenever I call them, they respond. I believe they are doing well, and we too are doing well,” he concluded.