Despite the signing of peace agreement by warring cult groups in Ibaa community in Emohua local Government area of Rivers State there is rise in criminal activities in the area National Network has learned.
The latest incident took place last Saturday when hoodlums suspected to be ‘repentant cultists’ stormed the compound of one Mr. Ejike Agbo in Ompuvan clan in the community and held him hostage for ransom.
Community sources explained that the hoodlums had entered the man’s compound unknown to him before night fall. The source revealed that the hoodlums immediately held the man at gun point the moment he entered his house.
Our source said, Mr.Ejike gave the hoodlums all the money in his possession and his wife motorcycle to pacify the gunmen who wanted to kidnap him.
The matter has been reported to the commander of the Army camp domicile in Ibaa community, as at press time.
We gathered that hoodlums the same Saturday laid siege on the road linking Ibaa to Isiokpo community in Ikwerre local Government area and hijacked a motorcycle with two passengers while one of the passengers ran to the community to break the news. The where about the two passengers is still unknown.
We learned that the incident has been reported to the Army and a manhunt has been launched for the perpetrators of the crime.
It would be recalled that last week suspected ‘repentant cultists’ kidnapped Pastor’s children in the community after carting away offering and tithes money generated from Sunday service.
The Army on receipt of news of the incident called on persons or group of persons holding the children captive to release them unconditionally on face the full wrath of the law. The warning by the Army paid off as the children were released by their abductors and kept close to their father’s church.
A clan head who would not want his name in print confirmed the rising cases of criminality perceived to be committed by ‘repentant cultists’ to National Network.
It would also be recalled that the community had been in turmoil for twelve years until June 1,2019 when the two major cult groups in the area accepted to a peace deal brokered by the Chairman of Emohua local Government area, Hon.Tom Aliezi and other stakeholders in the area.
Natives who spoke to our reporter say they doubt the genuineness of the peace accepted by the ‘repentant cultists’ who are still indulging in criminality.
They called on security agencies to ensure proper monitoring of all the persons who signed the peace accord to ensure they do not renege on their promise of maintaining peace and order.
