The officers of the Rivers State Police Command have neutralised a suspected cult leader, Silas Oderereke, following a state-wide manhunt initiated in 2020.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, January 14, 2024.

Iringe-Koko said Oderereke was killed during a raid on his camp in Oderereke community, Ahoada-West area of Rivers State.

She stated: “Oderereke, also known as ‘General,’ a notorious armed robber and cult leader, had been on the run and evaded arrest for the past four years.

“However, his reign of terror came to an end when he resisted arrest by opening fire on personnel, resulting in his death.

“Oderereke, who headed the Greenlanders cult group in Ubie clan of Ahoada-West, along with his gang, was infamous for criminal activities.”

READ ALSO: Soldiers arrested for torturing Rivers resident

Iringe-Koko said the gang was involved in armed robbery, land grabbing, unauthorised sale of buildings, and alleged demolition of houses of those who opposed him in the community.

The police spokesperson noted that the gang was responsible for the vandalism of property belonging to the late leader of the area, Eze Robinson.

She added: “Consequently, on January 11, the police received information about the cult leader’s gang robbery operation and swiftly responded by chasing the criminals out of town.

“Later, Oderereke rallied his gang and launched an attack on the community-owned tank farm with the intent to loot the farm.

“It was during this attempt on the farm that our operatives confronted the gang. However, they opened fire on the police team, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

“In the shootout, Oderereke and one of his accomplices were neutralised while others sustained injuries.”

Iringe-Koko stated that two other leaders of the cult group, Danger Boy and 2-Man, who frequently collaborated with the deceased cult leader, escaped the scene.

She noted that the police operatives recovered a G3 Rifle and 19 7.62x51mm ammunition from the gang’s hideout.

The police spokesperson said: “Personnel also uncovered another camp between Oderereke and Olokuma communities, used by the gang to launch robbery attacks on innocent victims in neighbouring communities.

“The Commissioner of Police, Mr Olatuni Disu, has issued a stern warning to cultists to renounce cultism and shun criminality or face the full wrath of the law.”

The Star