How Did Detained Police Officers Still Get Paid After the Deadly Omuma Shooting? Panel Acquits 10, Demotes Two – What Went Wrong?”
An exclusive SaharaReporters investigation reveals shocking details about the June 18, 2024 deadly shooting at the Eberi-Omuma Local Government Council Secretariat in Rivers State, where at least two people lost their lives. Despite being detained over the incident, Inspector Hycent Oboh continued to receive his salary of ₦249,138.13 in December 2025, raising questions about accountability within the Nigerian Police Force.
The incident, triggered by heightened political tensions in Omuma, involved multiple armed police officers allegedly firing live bullets and deploying teargas, leaving Inspector David Mgbada and civilian security operative Samuel Nwigwe dead. Eyewitnesses described chaos, teargas clouds, and indiscriminate gunfire, some linking officers to political actors. Yet, the police orderly room trial, which began in August 2024 at the SCIID in Port Harcourt, found that evidential gaps and investigative lapses prevented most officers from being held accountable.
After hearing testimonies from eight witnesses, the Executive Chairman of Omuma LGA, and the accused officers themselves, the panel acquitted 10 officers of all charges due to lack of proof. Only Inspectors Michael Etim (D5) and Nelson Mbang (D8) were demoted for discreditable conduct, having joined an unauthorised security detail, highlighting a serious breakdown in police discipline and investigative rigor.
The panel criticized the Investigating Police Officers (IPO) for failing to verify evidence, including video footage, conduct ballistic analyses, or identify officers present at the scene. This failure, the panel said, compromised justice for the victims and reflected political influence and systemic weaknesses within the force. Shockingly, the panel even recommended a posthumous trial for late Inspector Mgbada, underscoring the unusual and controversial nature of the proceedings.
The case raises serious questions about police accountability, salary payments during detention, and systemic failures in handling politically sensitive incidents. Citizens and stakeholders continue to demand transparency, proper investigations, and meaningful reforms to prevent future abuses and ensure justice for victims.
Fintter readers, we want to hear from you: How can the Nigerian Police Force be held accountable when investigations fail and officers continue to draw salaries despite detention? Share your thoughts in the comments.
An exclusive SaharaReporters investigation reveals shocking details about the June 18, 2024 deadly shooting at the Eberi-Omuma Local Government Council Secretariat in Rivers State, where at least two people lost their lives. Despite being detained over the incident, Inspector Hycent Oboh continued to receive his salary of ₦249,138.13 in December 2025, raising questions about accountability within the Nigerian Police Force.
The incident, triggered by heightened political tensions in Omuma, involved multiple armed police officers allegedly firing live bullets and deploying teargas, leaving Inspector David Mgbada and civilian security operative Samuel Nwigwe dead. Eyewitnesses described chaos, teargas clouds, and indiscriminate gunfire, some linking officers to political actors. Yet, the police orderly room trial, which began in August 2024 at the SCIID in Port Harcourt, found that evidential gaps and investigative lapses prevented most officers from being held accountable.
After hearing testimonies from eight witnesses, the Executive Chairman of Omuma LGA, and the accused officers themselves, the panel acquitted 10 officers of all charges due to lack of proof. Only Inspectors Michael Etim (D5) and Nelson Mbang (D8) were demoted for discreditable conduct, having joined an unauthorised security detail, highlighting a serious breakdown in police discipline and investigative rigor.
The panel criticized the Investigating Police Officers (IPO) for failing to verify evidence, including video footage, conduct ballistic analyses, or identify officers present at the scene. This failure, the panel said, compromised justice for the victims and reflected political influence and systemic weaknesses within the force. Shockingly, the panel even recommended a posthumous trial for late Inspector Mgbada, underscoring the unusual and controversial nature of the proceedings.
The case raises serious questions about police accountability, salary payments during detention, and systemic failures in handling politically sensitive incidents. Citizens and stakeholders continue to demand transparency, proper investigations, and meaningful reforms to prevent future abuses and ensure justice for victims.
Fintter readers, we want to hear from you: How can the Nigerian Police Force be held accountable when investigations fail and officers continue to draw salaries despite detention? Share your thoughts in the comments.
How Did Detained Police Officers Still Get Paid After the Deadly Omuma Shooting? Panel Acquits 10, Demotes Two – What Went Wrong?”
An exclusive SaharaReporters investigation reveals shocking details about the June 18, 2024 deadly shooting at the Eberi-Omuma Local Government Council Secretariat in Rivers State, where at least two people lost their lives. Despite being detained over the incident, Inspector Hycent Oboh continued to receive his salary of ₦249,138.13 in December 2025, raising questions about accountability within the Nigerian Police Force.
The incident, triggered by heightened political tensions in Omuma, involved multiple armed police officers allegedly firing live bullets and deploying teargas, leaving Inspector David Mgbada and civilian security operative Samuel Nwigwe dead. Eyewitnesses described chaos, teargas clouds, and indiscriminate gunfire, some linking officers to political actors. Yet, the police orderly room trial, which began in August 2024 at the SCIID in Port Harcourt, found that evidential gaps and investigative lapses prevented most officers from being held accountable.
After hearing testimonies from eight witnesses, the Executive Chairman of Omuma LGA, and the accused officers themselves, the panel acquitted 10 officers of all charges due to lack of proof. Only Inspectors Michael Etim (D5) and Nelson Mbang (D8) were demoted for discreditable conduct, having joined an unauthorised security detail, highlighting a serious breakdown in police discipline and investigative rigor.
The panel criticized the Investigating Police Officers (IPO) for failing to verify evidence, including video footage, conduct ballistic analyses, or identify officers present at the scene. This failure, the panel said, compromised justice for the victims and reflected political influence and systemic weaknesses within the force. Shockingly, the panel even recommended a posthumous trial for late Inspector Mgbada, underscoring the unusual and controversial nature of the proceedings.
The case raises serious questions about police accountability, salary payments during detention, and systemic failures in handling politically sensitive incidents. Citizens and stakeholders continue to demand transparency, proper investigations, and meaningful reforms to prevent future abuses and ensure justice for victims.
Fintter readers, we want to hear from you: How can the Nigerian Police Force be held accountable when investigations fail and officers continue to draw salaries despite detention? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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