Some residents of the Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State have raised alarm over incessant killings in the area by a dreaded cult group responsible for the murder of late DPO SP Bako Angbashim.
The residents under the aegis of Ekpeye for Development and Peace said it is worrisome that despite being declared wanted for the killing of SP Bako Angbashim, the cult gang allegedly led by Gift Okpara popularly known as 2baba has continued to wreck havoc on residents.
This followed Sunday’s killing of five persons in Odiemerenyi community by the cult group two months after killing Angbashim.
According to sources in the community, the five victims were killed by the cult group for providing information to the police on their hideout.
Briefing journalists in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the President of Concerned Ekpeye for Development and Peace, Ugwu Moses, said the latest incident showed that the Rivers State Government and security agencies are doing little to arrest the wanted cult leader and his gang.
“We, the concerned Ekpeye People for Peace and Development, call for a state of emergency on insecurity in EkpeyeLand. Arrest, prosecute sponsors and redeploy over-stayed police officers.
“It is exactly 64 days since Ekpeye people lost total sleep following the death of SP Bako.”
“We hereby express our profound disappointment and dissatisfaction on the Nigeria Police Force in Rivers State led by the former Commissioner of Police CP Emeka Polycap who in no way showed or proved gallantry in the discharge of his constitutional duties as regards to the security of Rivers people and most importantly, the bleeding Ekpeye Nation,” he added.
They called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to end incessant killings in the area as residents now live in fear.
“We therefore, call on the new Commissioner of Police (CP), Tunji Disu, to see the insecurity of EkpeyeLand as a topmost priority as he expedite his actions and investigations by leaving no stone unturned, thereby bringing the sponsors and perpetrators to book.