As the 2019 general elections approach, concerns have been raised over the security situation in Rivers State.
Several communities within the Emohua and Ikwerre Local government areas have been plagued by incessant killings, rape and kidnapping.
In Emohua, it is a no go area as cultists have descended on several communities like Elibrada, Okpoworo, Ibaa, consequences of which have led to hundreds of persons being killed so far this year alone.
In Ikwerre Local Government Area, Kidnapping and killings have since become the norm with Ubima, Omerelu and Aluu falling under heavy attacks from rampaging cultists.
Of recent is the situation in Aluu town where no less than 15 persons have lost their lives in the last five days in what locals and security agencies said were cult-related activities.
On Friday night, at least ten persons were killed. Although the police gave the figures as four, our investigation revealed that the numbers were way higher. The Ikwerre Local Government Chairman, Samuel Wanosike also stated that figures were higher during a special press briefing on Monday.
The following day, at least four persons were killed in their homes in separate attacks. Their killers simply barged in and opened fire on their victims.
On Sunday, at least three persons were shot dead while over five persons were killed on Monday at different locations.
These killings have been linked to supremacy battle between rampaging cultists who seek to dominate the area.
Locals who spoke to TPCN said that the person responsible for these killings had before been declared wanted by the Rivers State Police Command.
They identified him as a popular cultist known as School Boy. He was also said to be responsible for the attack on members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at Ipo where two persons were killed and scores wounded.
A local simply identified as Ovunda told Theportcitynews that several villages in Aluu town now sleep with their eyes open, while a good number of them have relocated to Choba and Rumuekini due to fear.
“The renewed killings took everyone unawares. Aluu has been very peaceful until these boys invaded the communities on Friday and killed scores of persons”
The Police told our correspondent that they are aware of the situation at Aluu and has since mobilized men to bring the killings to a screeching halt.
Although the Police Public Relations Officer, Nnamdi Omoni, refused to shed more lights on the claims by the Local Government Chairman that it has been incapable of arresting key perpetrators of the crime.
