Some residents of the Ahoada East Local Government Area in Rivers State have expressed concern about the ongoing series of killings in the region perpetrated by a feared cult group responsible for the murder of the late DPO SP Bako Angbashim.
Members of the community, organized under the banner of Ekpeye for Development and Peace, express their distress over the fact that, despite being declared wanted for the killing of SP Bako Angbashim, the cult gang allegedly led by Gift Okpara, widely known as 2baba, persists in causing harm to residents.
This apprehension comes in the wake of the recent killing of five individuals in the Odiemerenyi community by the same cult group, occurring two months after the death of Angbashim.
According to reports, the cult group allegedly targeted and killed the five victims for divulging information to the police about the group’s whereabouts.
Addressing the press in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Ugwu Moses, the President of Concerned Ekpeye for Development and Peace, remarked that the recent incident underscores the perceived inadequacy of the Rivers State Government and security agencies in apprehending the wanted cult leader and his accomplices.
“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 urged Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to put an end to the constant killings in the area, as residents are currently living 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.”