Port Harcourt, April 24, 2026- King Aaron Ikuru, Paramount Ruler of Ikuru Town in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers has rejected the prohibition of local vigilante in his domain.
Our correspondent recalls that the Chairman of Andoni Local Government Council, Mr Lucky Otuo recently prohibited activities of vigilance group in the area council following the murder of a youth in Ikuru Town.
OSPAC, a vigilance group was accused of being responsible for the murder of 32 year old Patrick Ibiamu.
The incident was said to have subsequently resulted to the declaration of curfew and disbandment of the vigilante by the council’ chairman.
According to the chairman, the measure was intended to stop the situation from excalation.
Reacting to the chairman’s pronouncement, the paramount ruler insisted on retaining the local vigilante for his personal protection.
According to a statement on Friday , the paramount ruler exonerated the vigilante insisting that the victim died during a cult rivalry and not by the vigilante as widely speculated
He explained that the vigilante was duly approved by the Inspector General of Police for his (Aaron) personal protection.
“OSPAC is a local security outfit, deployed with an official approval of the Inspector General of Police(IGP) for my personal protection which is my constitutional right.
“The local government chairman has no authority to disband an entity created or approved by a higher authority,” he said.
He also noted that as a custodian of the tradition and customs of his people, he would not allow any form of infringement on his right.
Meanwhile, efforts to get Police reaction via calls and text massages had proved abortive as at the time of filling this story
