Lorine Emenike
Residents of Elechi and Afikpo Waterfronts in MILE 1 DIOBU Port Harcourt local government area have decried the incessant attacks on residents of the area by suspected cultists and notorious gang groups operating within the area.
TPCN reporter approached some of the victims to speak on the development with a view to finding a solution to the incessant attacks using the media but was turned down by the women who are afraid to speak but chose instead to leave the area.
A visit around the waterfronts tells of life within affordable means, women were seen in groups discussing the ugly news.
One of the community youth who pleaded anonymity told our reporter that the cult boys launched a new wave of crime in the area. He said ‘’The victims have refused to speak because some of the women are married and some are also staying with men in the house that was why they are not speaking to you’’
The youth’s secretary and other men who came to the Mile 1 police station to report the incident but spoke under the condition of anonymity narrated that the armed bandits stormed one yard at the early hours of Saturday morning, raped about six to seven women.
He explained that even married women were raped in front of their husbands and some girls in front of their Fathers.
He said the cultist have resorted to raping women in front of their husbands after dispossessing them of their belongings while they tie up the men.
He called on police, The International Federation of Women Lawyers FIDA to come to the aids of the women with a view to providing legal counsel and bring the perpetrators to justices.
Meanwhile, civil society organizations have joined in condemning the attacks on waterfront dwellers.
The spokesman for the Civil Rights Council PRINCE WIRO lamented the inabilities of the police to safeguard the area.
He said a situation where hoodlums are allowed to operate without recourse to constituted authority is not acceptable, adding that “these people live at the waterfront does not mean they are not humans. They have the right to shelters and rights to be protected and secured. We are calling on the Police to live up to its responsibility of Protecting lives and property.
He added that The Rivers state police command is yet to react to the incident even when a formal complaint was lodged at mile 1 police division.
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