In a bid to contain renewed cultist activities at Bodo community in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, the State Commissioner of Police, Emeka Nwonyi, said he had ordered fresh deployment of operatives to the area.
This followed a fresh attack by suspected cultists, who invaded the place on Monday.
Speaking in an interview, the state CP, said he had personally met with the chiefs and other stakeholders in the area even as he expressed surprise at the latest developments
“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.”
It would be recalled that some rampaging cultists had on Monday shot dead two youths on surveillance duty at a pipeline belonging to Shell in the area.
Also on Monday, it was gathered that some hoodlums stormed the community and killed a yet-to-be-identified youth.
The latest onslaught, it was gathered caused pandemonium as some residents, including chiefs, fled to safer towns for fear of being killed.
The Vice Chairman of the Bodo Council of Traditional Rulers, Joseph Kpobia, while speaking to newsmen, raised the alarm that his life and those of other chiefs were in danger, as they were being threatened by the miscreants.
He revealed that he was on the wanted list of the cultists who he said wanted to kill him.
“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.”Kpobia disclosed.
Also speaking, the Regent of the Bodo Community, Mene Joseph Kpai, 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”.
