POLICE RESCUE FOOTBALL COACH AFTER VIGILANTE GROUP ALLEGEDLY ASSAULTS HIM OVER “DISAPPEARING MANHOOD” CLAIM

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

A football coach identified simply as Gaso has been rescued by police after members of a local vigilante group, the Onelga Security and Peace Advisory Committee (OSPAC), allegedly assaulted and publicly paraded him over claims of “magically stealing” another man’s manhood in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

A viral video obtained by PUNCH Online showed the coach, dressed in blue jeans and a black T-shirt, with his hands tied as he was interrogated and allegedly assaulted by members of the vigilante group.

In the footage, a man accused the coach of approaching him for transport fare to his hometown in Okrika and later fleeing after they crossed the road. The complainant alleged that he subsequently realised his manhood had “disappeared,” sparking alarm and confrontation.

Responding in the video, the coach denied the allegation, insisting he never made such a request.

However, vigilante members were seen questioning and physically assaulting the suspect during the incident.

A relative of the coach, Solomon Ogan, told PUNCH Online that the family intervened after being informed of the arrest, adding that the coach sustained injuries before police intervention.

He said members of the vigilante group allegedly beat the coach severely and inflicted head injuries before police officers stepped in to restore order.

Ogan condemned the action, insisting that his brother was innocent and calling for the prosecution of those involved in the assault.

“There is no justification for accusing someone of stealing another person’s manhood and subjecting him to mob assault,” he said.

He further alleged that the vigilante operatives might have killed the coach if the police had not intervened.

The family has also called for the arrest and prosecution of members of the vigilante group involved in the incident.

Reacting, the National Coordinator of the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, Prince Wiro, condemned the assault and demanded the immediate release of the coach and prosecution of those involved.

He described the action as a violation of the victim’s fundamental human rights, noting that the allegations against the coach had no medical or scientific basis.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, ASP Grace Iringe-Koko Agabe, said police officers rescued the victim from a mob and placed him in protective custody.

She warned against jungle justice, stressing that such actions constitute a criminal offence and that anyone involved would be held accountable.

“Yes, our men rescued somebody from a mob. The man is currently in protective custody and the matter is under investigation,” she said.

Police say investigations into the incident are ongoing.