Traditional Ruler Denies Setting Up ‘Killer Squad’, Demand Police To Probe Gun Violence
The Obi of Aboh Kingdom, Chief Gregory Nnamdi Oputa, said this in an interview with SaharaReporters while denying any involvement in the recent incident.
The traditional ruler in Aboh Community in Ndokwa East, Delta State, has denied setting up a militia squad known as “C.G. SQUAD” while calling on the Nigerian police to probe the gun violence in the area.
The Obi of Aboh Kingdom, Chief Gregory Nnamdi Oputa, said this in an interview with SaharaReporters while denying any involvement in the recent incident.
He called on security agencies especially the police to investigate the case.
Some residents had accused Chief Oputa of sponsoring the militia squad to terrorise the community members who were against his allegedly illegal acquisition of leadership.
The attack had 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.
But reacting Chief Oputa said, “It is all lies. It is not a true story. I am a peaceful man. I also run a ministry called ‘Throne of Grace’. As I am talking to you I am in my village and I have several of my chiefs with me. The whole story and everything about me killing anybody is all false. How can I kill? Is it possible? Can I kill and next, I am working round the town and the same people are singing your praise song, go to the family of the person his son died. There was an outage according to what they said because I was in my palace.
“Somebody did an Igbu ceremony. Igbu ceremony is being officiated by the King and I am and I also gave some Chieftainancy titles to a few people. The person that did Igbu, traditionally they will take him round the town with palm front in body, the aggrieved people, people that are still thinking that they should or supposed to be the King even if they’re not qualified traditionally, and even when the government had given staff of office they are still – it is just a handful of people about five to six adults using about 15 to 20 youths, so I have 90 to 95 percent of the total validation of my kingdom.
“So these few people they are very quick to go to the media. Infact if you follow up the story on how I emerged at some point they even said that I kill somebody, carrying Casket round the town. DPO said bring that casket let me see who died and when they opened it, behold it was a chicken. I cannot tell the exact what happened because was not there. I am depending and hoping and depending on police operatives to unravel the truth. But I know that there was gun shooting.
“This is a guy called Obi Okpo that was carrying pump action. People went around burning and destroying people’s property. I am not in support anybody not even my operatives, I have police and I also has the hunters that has been in Aboh before ever I came from America to become a King. So, let the police do there work, but for anybody to tell you that I am involved, I do not have any hand in it.”
A viral video seen by SaharaReporters on Monday, had 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 had 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.”
