No less than six suspected militants have been allegedly gunned down by security operatives in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State during a joint operation in the area, 11:pm, Sunday.
According to Vanguard, a notorious ex-militant in the area self-styled Don Wanny was also feared dead during the operation around Ali-Ugo junction, although his corps has not been seen, a security personnel among the team told Vanguard that he (Don Wanny) was shot.
The suspects killed in the combined security onslaught in ONELGA are members of the dreaded gang that is terrorizing Omoku and its environs.
Earlier, there was jubilation in Omoku when the news filtered in that the leader of the gang, Don Wanny, was among the persons that were killed, but it was later told that the gang leader had fallen into a river after he was shot.
The security raid may not be unconnection to the killing of over three members of the ONELGA local vigilante, known as Security Planning and Advisory Committee, OSPAC, a security outfit set up by the authority of the local government council to assist in tackling insecurity in the area, Saturday.
Gunmen had on Saturday night invade Okposi and Omoku communities and killed the three OSPAC members and one other individual, causing panic in the area that is yet to survive cult crisis.
Don Wanny and his gang who had surrendered their arms to the state government, last year, during the state amnesty programme, were accused of masterminding the killings and were allegedly mobilizing to lunch attacks in different communities of the LGA before the crack down by the joint force.
It was learned that the group had allegedly resolved to destabilize the security formation put in place by the Caretaker committee Chairman of ONELGA, Osi Olisa, in order to resume their activities.
It was further gathered that while the hoodlums were on with their plans, security operatives including, the police, army, Department for State Security, DSS, Joint Military Task Force, JTF, and OSPAC, bursted their camp and reportedly killed the number of persons.
A source, who preferred anonymity, told Vanguard that the remains of the six casualties were in the morning of yesterday brought to the council headquarters, but that the body of Don Wanny who the security operatives prided over was not among.
The source noted that the dreaded gang had engaged the security operatives in gun duel, adding that the security men over powered the hoodlums and brought six down.
When contacted on the killing of Don Wanny, the Public Relations Officer of Rivers State Police Command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, said the information on the incident is sketchy, adding that a formal statement would be released when details are gathered.
Meanwhile, the Caretaker Committee Chairman ONELGA, Barr. Osi Olisa, has assured that the security of the LGA cannot be compromised, adding efforts would continue to build a formidable security structure in the area.
However, a source, who is privy to the development and close to the militant leader, noted that the base of the gang was attacked by heavily armed security personnel, but that Don Wanny was not among the people killed.
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