Cult Killings In Khana Community: Rt. Hon. Dekor Urges Security Agencies  To Hunt Down Perpetrators

…Wants Another Police Division In Khana

As condemnations greet the latest cult conflict and alleged gruesome killing of six persons in Luumene Community, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, the lawmaker representing Khana/Gokana federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dumnamene Robinson Dekor has described the incident as barbaric and one too many, calling on the police and other security operatives to track down the killers and bring them to justice.

He said this is regrettable as the state government has dissipated much resources to ensure adequate security of lives and properties of Rivers people, particularly in Khana Local Government Area.

Rt. Hon. Dekor who spoke to journalists after visiting the affected communities at the weekend to see things for himself, called on security agencies to step up action to contain the gruesome murder amidst calls by other stakeholders for military presence in the area.

The Federal Lawmaker said information reaching him indicates that even the police do not help matters as they often do not respond to calls for help. 

“This is the 21st century when everybody and all parts of the world are moving forward.  This is a period people are thinking of how to cope with the Coronavirus pandemic that is ravaging the world.  It is a period that people are thinking of how to survive.  Yet our own children are busy carrying guns and killing people.

“I understand some of them who have died are cultists.  Even if they are cultists and want to kill themselves, they should go out of Ogoni land”, he said.

He also called for the support of traditional rulers for concerted efforts to bring a lasting peace to Khana Local Government Area. 

“We want the army that was there to come back.  If we have more Divisions of the police in Khana here, I believe the area will be better policed. 

“I therefore use this opportunity to call on the Commissioner of Police and all other security operatives to go after those behind this dastardly act”, he said.

“As we speak, my application is before the Inspector-General of Police which by God’s grace there is the likelihood he would give approval for another Police Division in Khana Local Government Area.  If we have more divisions of the police, I believe we will be able to police the area better”, he affirmed.

Rt. Hon. Dekor charged security agencies to go after these miscreants because, according to him, the communities are prepared to name them, adding that he would support whatever they do to ensure permanent peace in the communities.

He also warned those who sponsor these cultists to know they are being watched and that government would soon come after them.

At Baa Loore, a nearby village to Luumene Community, Mrs. Lesi Cletus and her four children are amongst the latest victims.  Her late husband and Village Chief, Mene Cletus was allegedly murdered and the family house set ablaze, while 6 cultists were killed in Dangha.

“We woke up on Monday and saw two persons run out from the bush into our compound and began to shoot sporadically.  They killed my husband, burnt our house and a bullet hit my brother who is now hospitalized.  We need urgent help to rebuild this house which was burnt down”, she said.

In neighboring Luebe Community, the chief of Luebe, Chief Naka Aluma was also shot dead while traditional rulers and leaders in the affected communities appear helpless.

On the entourage of Rt. Hon. Dekor was the Rivers State Commissioner for Special Duties, Thomas Bariere who urged members of the communities to provide useful information that would lead to the arrest of perpetrators of the act.

“We need the army that was there to come back.  We know that once the army hears a gunshot, they would not hesitate to come and know what is happening.  In fact, the army used to do a regular patrol there before now”, he said.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nnamdi Omoni has confirmed the renewed cult clashes.

He said the information got to the police late, after the criminals had invaded the Community, killed two of the rival cult members and also went for a chief, adding that normalcy has been restored but that no arrest has been made.

“The fear of possible reprisal attacks is making life very challenging for the inhabitants and many have reportedly fled from the area”, Omoni said.