During a firefight in Oderereke community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, Rivers State Police command agents murdered a wanted cult leader, Silas Oderereke, and his accomplice.
According to SP Grace Iringe-Koko, a spokesperson for the Command, who revealed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday, January 14, 2024, Oderereke, also known as ‘general,’ is the leader of the Greenlanders’ cult group in the Ubie clan in Ahoada West and has been on the run for the past four years.
The notorious cult leader and his crew, according to the PPRO, were involved in armed robbery, land grabbing, unauthorised building sales, and vicious attacks on those who dared to challenge them.
“On January 11, 2024, the police received information about Oderereke’s gang’s robbery operation, which also involved vandalizing the property of the late monarch, Eze Robinson O. Robinson,” she stated.
“Responding swiftly, the police chased the criminals out of town. However, the defiant ‘General’ rallied his gang and launched an attack on a community-owned tank farm in Oderereke, intending to loot its contents.
“It was during this sabotage attempt that the police managed to apprehend the gang.
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“Silas Oderereke and one other member of his gang opened fire on the police team, leading to an exchange of gunfire. In the shootout, Oderereke and his accomplice were neutralised while others sustained injuries.
“Two other clan leaders, Danger-boy and 2-Man, who frequently collaborated with Oderereke, managed to escape and are currently at large.
“Upon searching the gang’s hideout, the police discovered a G3 Rifle and nineteen 7.62x51mm ammunition.”
“Further investigations uncovered a camp Oderereke had established between Oderereke and Olokuma communities.
“This camp served as a base for the cult leader and his numerous followers, from where they launched robbery attacks on innocent members of neighbouring communities.
“The affected communities expressed their relief and shared accounts of residents who had relocated to Port Harcourt due to the mayhem caused by the cult group.”
Meanwhile, Olatunji Disu, the State Commissioner of Police, praised the operatives for their discreet investigation and for neutralising the hoodlums.
CP Disu threatened cultists and other criminal gangs to change their ways or face prosecution, saying the command under his leadership will make the state unpleasant for them till they are smoked out.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli