Terrorist Groups Occupy Rivers State Forests Near International Airport; Communities Cry Out After Mass Abductions

Armed groups have occupied forests in Ikwerre LGA, Rivers State, overpowering local vigilantes and abducting residents near the Port Harcourt International Airport.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 23, 2026, 11:23 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Naija News

Militant Occupation of Strategic Forests

A severe security crisis is unfolding in Rivers State as organized armed groups have allegedly established permanent bases within the forests of the Ikwerre Local Government Area. During a press conference on Thursday, April 23, 2026, the Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide raised the alarm over the "illegal occupation" of lands spanning the Igbo, Igurita, Omagwa, and Omademe communities. These areas are of critical national importance, as they serve as the host communities for the Port Harcourt International Airport.

Overwhelming Firepower and Failed Resistance

Godspower Onuekwa, the President General of the cultural organization, described a dire situation where local security structures have been rendered ineffective. He cited a specific incursion on April 8, 2026, in the Igbo community, where an estimated 200 gunmen stormed the area. Local vigilante members who attempted to repel the invaders were reportedly overwhelmed by the sheer volume of superior weaponry. The encounter resulted in the abduction of a local couple and the head of the community's vigilante group, identified as Mr. Collins.

A Climate of Fear and Displacement

The presence of these large, sophisticated groups has created an atmosphere of constant terror for residents. Community leaders report that the bandits have made daily life "unbearable," utilizing the occupied forests as launchpads for kidnappings and targeted killings. There are growing concerns that the proximity of these armed camps to major transit hubs and residential areas could lead to a total collapse of order if the federal and state governments do not intervene immediately to reclaim the territory.