Tina Amanda
Rivers State Police Command has deployed five tactical teams to beef up security in Ogoni communities to tackle the incessant cult-related crisis in the area.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Nnamdi Omoni, who confirmed the deployment in an interview with our correspondent, said the deployment became necessary following resurgence of cult violence which has greatly affected people of Ogoni ethnic nationality.
Omoni reiterated that the command will not relent its efforts to curb the upsurge of cult activities in Ogoniland, urging residents of the area to assist the Police with information that could lead to dislodgement and arrest of the hoodlums in their hideouts.
“Where we have upsurge in cult activities are the Ogoni communities especially the fringe areas were the hoodlums come from the bushes, forest, swampy areas and launch attacks on their perceived opponents, they go after their attackers not the innocent people.
“It’s been cult rivalry, supremacy, cult clash, mindless killings on perceived opponent. We are not relenting in anyway, we are doing our best to ensure that the cultist are tamed and dealt with accordingly.
“We have been arresting them, we have recovered large quantity of arms and ammunition. Two days ago, our officers had an interface with them, most of them were fatally wounded. We not are resting until the Ogoni axis have some peace.
“CP has ordered that five patrol teams be deployed to Ogoni area to beef up security and sanitize the area. These are among other things we are doing to make sure Ogoni people breath out fresh air, enjoy freedom and peace.
“The people of Ogoni should be able to share actionable information with the police, because these boys committing the crimes are their children, kins, so they should give us clue that will lead to the dislodgement of culprits in their hideout, because the hoodlums come out from farmlands and creeks that are accessible to residents of Ogoni”
He however expressed displeasure that the traditional rulers of Ogoni are not putting much effort to secure lives and property of the people, by reporting criminal elements terrorizing the area to the Police.
“The traditional rulers as important as they are in the Communities, their primary assignment is to ensure there is peace. Where there is no peace, they can not rule or preside over matters in the respective communities and domains. They should be bold enough to approach the Commissioner of Police without fear of exposing them.
“They can summon DPOs to their palaces and tell them where these boys are camping and we will go after the hoodlums. The idea of expressing fear is neither here nor there. They have duty to protect their subjects. Without their subjects they can not rule the communities. So shying away from their responsibilities, they would have offended the gods of the land”
