As cult activities continue to cut lives short in several parts of Rivers State, the paramount ruler of Kono Bo-ue community, in Khana Local Government Area, HRH, Mene Taalor Tornwe, has denied allegations that his children are behind the cult-related killings in the community.
The traditional ruler added that his children have been away from the community for over six years.
Recall that cult-related killings in the community penultimate week led to the death of at least 20 persons while 7 persons were still uncounted for.
He explained that his children last visited home in 2013 during his coronation.
According to him, cultists in the area are being sponsored by a section of the community.
He said that the people causing mayhem in the community are referred to as “myogo efeeloo”, meaning children of peace as they are being used to chase away those that do not belong to their faction or share same ideology with them from the community.
Mene Tornwe said his palace and that of his brother HRH, Chief Mathew Tornwe 111, former paramount ruler of the community who has been away from the country for so many years had been destroyed in the course of the violence.
He noted that his brother has no problem with anybody as he has been away from the community for several years.
He explained that his attempts to comply with the directive of the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, that traditional rulers should rid their communities of cultists in their domains was countered by the leader of one of the cult groups which led to the burning down of his palace and destruction of other properties worth millions of naira.
He explained that he constituted a vigilante group with non-cultists as members and duly nominated by chiefs, community development committee chairmen and youths of the communities that make up the Bua.
He added that he initiated a peace and security meeting at the office of the Area Commander of the Nigerian Police in Bori, stressing that stakeholders from the communities agreed and came out with a communiqué banning all cult related activities in the community.
