The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Emeka Nwonyi, disclosed that he has deployed operatives to Bodo City in Gokana Local Government Area of the state over alleged cult attacks .
According to the The PUNCH, this came as a traditional ruler and some chiefs in the area fled the community following a fresh attack by suspected cultists, who invaded the place on Monday.
Two youths on surveillance duty at a pipeline belonging to Shell in the area were reportedly were shot dead by the gun-wieding cultists days after an oil spill occurred from the Trans Niger Pipeline over a fortnight ago.
Also on Monday, reports revealed that some dare-devil gunmen evaded the community and killed a yet-to-be-identified youth.
The latest onslaught caused chaos as some residents, including chiefs, fled to safer towns for fear of being killed.
Speaking with journalists on the incident, the Vice Chairman of the Bodo Council of Traditional Rulers, Joseph Kpobia, cried out that his life and those of other chiefs were in danger, as they were being threatened by the hoodlums.
He disclosed that he was on the wanted list of the cultists who he said wanted to kill him.
Kpobia stated, “Old men and women in this community are hiding in their houses because some people are sending these bad boys to come and spoil our peaceful community.
“Even as I speak, my name is with them; even the traditional rulers’ names are in their hands to kill all of us. So, I beg the state governor to come and help secure this community so that we, our mothers and our children shall know peace again.”
The Regent of the Bodo Community, Mene Joseph Kpai, while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday confirmed that some persons, including chiefs, were in hiding.
Kpai, said, “Yes, it is true, though I am in Bodo, not in my house. I am outside, I went for something.”
Asked if there was security presence in the area, his response was negative, saying the hoodlums struck again immediately after they sensed that peace had returned to the community.
He stated, “On Monday after they (cultists) attacked, people were running but later there was calm. Even the first attack two weeks ago, there was calm, but just on Monday, they struck again.
While speaking on the number of chiefs that have fled the area due to the attack, he said, “If I were at home I would have told you. But I do know that some of them have left home.”
The State CP, Emeka Nwonyi, while reacting to incident, stated that he had personally met with the chiefs and other stakeholders in the area and charted the way forward, even as he expressed surprise at the latest developments
He said, “I have already directed that some men be deployed there. So, anytime from now, they will move. Though we don’t have enough operatives, I’m trying to see where to pick out some men to that place (Bodo) to beef up the security there.”
