Palpable fear has gripped most prominent personalities in Ogoni particularly in Khana local Government area of Rivers State over what appears to be targeted attacks on them by suspected cultists who have been on rampage for about a week now.
National Network investigations revealed that the ‘BigMen’ including the Political class are yet to come to terms with the torching of the houses of Prominent leaders in the area.
Torched during the attack way the house of the executive Chairman of the local Government, Lateh Loolo as the hoodlums invaded Opuoko and Lamene communities early morning Sunday.
The attackers who killed three persons in both communities also destroyed the house of a former youth leader.
Investigations also revealed that the rampaging cultists who invaded Okwale and Taabaa communities last Tuesday and Wednesday also killed nine persons. The invading cultists, we learnt, set ablaze the house of the Traditional ruler of Taabaa and also destroyed the house of the factional President of Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Lyborsi Pygbara.
The house of a business mogul, and the owner of next time supermarket was also burnt down by the cultists.
The natives explained that some of the cultists are accusing the leaders of grabbing benefits from government and companies which are meant for the youths. According to our source, the rampaging cultists most of whom are illiterates, are of the opinion that some of their leaders are responsible for the under development of Ogoniland.
In the meantime, Nnamdi Omoni, the spokesperson of Rivers State Police command said in a statement that two persons were arrested in connection with the Sunday killings in Lemene and Opuoko community.
He explained that following a distress call the Police stormed the area and the hoodlums on sighting the Police took to their heels but they were able to arrest two of the suspected cultists.
He gave their names as Damwua Karagbara, male 33 years alias spider and Dinee Prince male, 23 years. He said exhibits recovered from them include assorted phones and military camouflage while adding that the Commissioner of Police, CP Mustapha Danduara has ordered investigation into the incident with a view to ascertaining the remote and immediate causes of the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Meanwhile, the Vice Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Dr. Leton Ekoro has called on all angry youths in the area to embrace peace and dialogue in resolving their grievances.
Dr. Ekoro who is a Justice of the Peace called on the aggrieved youths not to take law into their hands and forward their grievances to government rather than resort to violence which will not enhance peace and development of the area.
The Khana Council Vice Chairman said no development can strive in the face of violence and disunity and sued for peace and understanding between the youths and the government..
She also expressed her condolences on behalf of the council to the Executive Chairman of the council chief Lahteh Lah Loolo over the loss of lives and the burning of his residence and extended same to the Gbenemene Bua Bangha Kingdom, HRH, Mene Suanu Baridam of Luumene community.
