Police shoot down wanted cult leader in Rivers State

During a gunfight in the Oderereke town of Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state, Rivers State Police command agents effectively eliminated a prominent cult leader named Silas Oderere and his accomplice in a decisive operation.

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The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe-Koko, revealed in a statement issued on Sunday, January 14, 2024, that Oderere, also known as ‘General,’ was the leader of the Greenlanders’ cult group in the Ubie clan, Ahoada West, and had been on the run for the past four years.

According to SP Iringe-Koko, Oderere and his gang were involved in a range of criminal activities, including armed robbery, land grabbing, unauthorized sales of buildings, and brutal attacks on those who opposed them.

“On January 11, 2024, the police received information about Oderereke’s gang’s robbery operation, which also involved vandalizing the property of the late monarch, Eze Robinson O. Robinson,” she stated.

In response to the information, the police swiftly pursued the criminals, who had launched an attack on a community-owned tank farm in Oderereke, intending to loot its contents. During the confrontation, Oderereke and one accomplice opened fire on the police team, leading to an exchange of gunfire. In the ensuing shootout, both Oderereke and his accomplice were neutralized, while others sustained injuries.

Two other clan leaders, Danger-boy and 2-Man, who were known to frequently collaborate with Oderereke, managed to escape and are currently at large. A search of the gang’s hideout revealed a G3 Rifle and nineteen 7.62x51mm ammunition.

Further investigations exposed a camp established by Oderereke between Oderereke and Olokuma communities, serving as a base for the cult leader and his numerous followers. From this camp, they launched robbery attacks on innocent members of neighboring communities.

Residents of the affected communities expressed relief, sharing stories of those who had relocated to Port Harcourt due to the mayhem caused by the cult group.

Oreoluwa Ojelabi

Oreoluwa is an accountant and a brand writer with a flair for journalism.