A viral video seen by SaharaReporters on Monday, showed residents lying in a pool of their blood, with the armed militia squad shooting and moving in a Toyota Turbo with the plate number 'C.G. SQUAD'.
The Aboh Community in Ndokwa East, Delta State, is reeling from a gruesome attack by a militia squad known as 'C.G. SQUAD' which was carried out on December 28, 2024.
The attack resulted in the murder of a man, Ojugbeli Christopher Ugbome, and the attempted murder of four others: Okeye Osorachukwu, Odili Chidi, Chinyere Obi, and Daniel Paul.
Residents accuse one Chief Gregory Nnamdi Oputa, who claims to be the Obi of Aboh kingdom, of sponsoring the militia squad to terrorise the community members who were against his allegedly illegal acquisition of leadership.
A viral video seen by SaharaReporters on Monday, showed residents lying in a pool of their blood, with the armed militia squad shooting and moving in a Toyota Turbo with the plate number 'C.G. SQUAD'.
The community has petitioned the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, citing conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, and terrorism.
They claimed Chief Oputa used the militia squad to kill and terrorise the community for insisting on respecting a court judgment over traditional leadership.
Chief Oputa's leadership has been disputed since his emergence as the Obi of Aboh kingdom in September 2024. The community has accused him of being illegally installed, with some claiming he used thugs to intimidate opponents.
The Delta State Police Command has been accused of shielding and supporting Chief Oputa's alleged atrocities.
Residents claim the police commissioner provides him protection and support, even helping him violate a subsisting court order.
The community is calling for Chief Oputa's arrest and prosecution, along with his cohorts.
They urge the authorities to intervene urgently to prevent further violence and mayhem.
In the petition, SaharaReporters obtained on Monday, dated December 30, 2024, which was signed by S. Kelechi Nnadi Esq, solicitor to Chief Emmanuel Ugbome, Mr. Paul Barboza, Olise Chukwuma, and Olise Francis Esumei, explained how Chief Gregory Nnamdi Oputa, used 'C.G. SQUAD', to kill the victim and terrorise the entire community over the traditional stool which he is illegally laying claim to.
The petition was titled: "Conspiracy, looming crisis, murder in cold blood, attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms, acts terrorism, recruitment of armed militia, gun running, plot to assassinate some prominent members of members of Aboh Community and plot unleash mayhem on members of Aboh community by Chief Gregory Nnamdi Oputa, Charles Ogbotobo, Chief Chris Ogwu, Chief Ifeanyi Ossal, Chief Frank Esumei, Chief Chidi Victor Ugboma, Chief Kenneth Odili, Mr Amaechi Odili, Chief Lucas Obiosa, Obi Ajieh Ugboma, John Amaoluni Ugboma, Onyenichie Ossai and their cohorts".
The petitioners also sought for an urgent intervention of the DIG in the murder and attempted murder innocent residents of the community, adding that these "egregious acts were premeditated, hatched, orchestrated and perpetrated by criminal elements recruited and sponsored by one Chief Greg Nnamdi Oputa who currently masquerades as the Obi of Aboh kingdom".
The petition partly read: "On the 27th day of December 2024, an incident occurred at Ogbeukwu Quarters, Aboh, when some community members resisted Chief Charles Ogbotobo from taking the Ogbuu title. This resistance escalated into a physical confrontation.
"In response, Chief Charles Ogbotobo contacted Chief Greg Nnamdi Oputa, who subsequently deployed a group of armed milita, who are his standby assassin squad code named C.G. SQUAD, with whom he executes dirty operations of kidnapping, murder and diverse acts of terrorism within and without Aboh kingdom. These criminal elements, under Chief Gregory Oputa's directive, acted swiftly by invading the Ogbeukwu quarters and arresting some innocent persons in a Gestapo operations that was fraught with blatant disregard for human life and the rule of law.
"Matters came to a head on the 28th day of December 2024, when these thugs /armed militia who operates in a Toyota Tundra procured by Chief Gregory Oputa for these criminal operations stormed Ogbeukwu Quarters, Aboh, where women were peacefully protesting. Without provocation, they opened fire on innocent inhabitants, including passersby and perceived opponents of Chief Greg Oputa's authority.
"As a matter of fact, we have video recordings of Chief Greg Nnmadi Oputa addressing his killers' squad and his co-conspirators, as well as his C.G. SQUAD parading with guns, shooting sporadically, videos of the murdered person and others who were shot in the wake of the violent brigandage and terror unleashed on Aboh people."
The petitioners listed some individuals who were reportedly armed and were acting under the directives of Chief Greg Nnamdi Oputa to murder Mr. Ojugbeli Christopher Ugbome and the attempted murder of other innocent persons.
They are "Amaechi Odili (aka Oyibo), Chief Chris Ogwu, Chief Ifeanyi Ossai, Chief Nnamdi Paul Esumei, Chief Frank Esumei, Chief Chuka Obi, Azuka Opene, Mr. Uzo Andrew Chukwuma (aka Opp), Mr. Celestine Ifeanyi, Ms. Ifelunwa Odili, Oputa Jumbo Oputa, Chief Ifeanyi Bucknor, Chief Lucas Obiosa, Chief Alex Agha, Chief Kenneth Odili, Chief Chidi Victor Ugboma, Onyenichie Ossai, Obi Ajie Ugboma and John Amaoluni Ugboma".
They also demanded for "a thorough, comprehensive and impartial investigation into the events of 27th and 28th December 2024, to ensure that all those responsible for the dastardly act of murder, attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms, acts of terrorism and other crimes are brought to justice.
"Provision of adequate security for victims, witnesses, and other individuals who have expressed opposition to Chief Greg Nnamdi Oputa, to prevent further harm, assassination, acts of terror or other forms of intimidation, harassment and deaths."
The petitioners, however, noted that the failure of law enforcement agencies in Delta State to promptly address this matter has "emboldened these criminal elements".
"We trust that your esteemed office will act decisively to ensure justice for the victims and maintain public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.
"We eagerly await your prompt response and action to prevent further escalation of violence and ensure accountability for these heinous acts."