Many communities in Rivers State are beginning to witness surge in violent crimes.
Metro Network news learnt that the insecurity is fueled by cultism.
At Egbeda community in Emohua Local Government Area(LGA)of the state, cultists have been giving the community sleepless nights.
The community met to see how to contain it and invited one of their sons, a naval officer( names withheld). After the meeting, the hoodlums came for the naval officer who had gone back to his base. They shot his younger brother in their parlance ” to drop a message”.
At Eliowhani community in Obio-Akpor LGA, hoodlums raided houses, collecting money and those who haven’t, injured them in the process.
According to a victim who preferred to remain anonymous, the criminals broke into their houses, collected cash and personal effects.
According to her, some of the victims were compelled with threats to open their burglary proof. She said almost the whole neighbourhood was robbed.
In the middle of the attack, Police were contacted. They could not arrive until after the operation.
In Khana LGA, cultists have taken over, extorting money from residents, killing people in the process with no security solution.
Out of fear for their lives, people have personally imposed curfew on themselves. From 6pm, nobody moves around except the men of the underworld. Residents are now mounting gates at the entrance of their streets while, some landlords are increasing the perimeter fence as well as re-erecting a new and higher one with electric spiral wire within their property to avoid any form of bugling by the hoodlums who usually scale fences to gain access into premises to rob the occupants.
Similarly, activities of “one-chance” hoodlums have increased as there are incessant reports of their activities in many parts of the state.
Their victims are kidnapped, robbed of ATM card, laptop,handset, which are further used to swindle the victims, including obtaining loan from the banks.
A student of University of Port Harcourt(names withheld) fell to the trap at Rumuokoro area of Port Harcourt metropolis, where they collected her handset, cleared her bank account and even obtained a loan.
When she reported the matter, the bank insisted she should get the police.
Surprisingly, the police asked her to bring N20,000, which she was unable.
The criminals are still on the streets prowling as no efforts had been made by the police to apprehend them.
All efforts to contact the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Rivers state Command, Nnamdi Omoni failed before publishing the report.
