Police hunt for cult kingpin after heavy gun-battle in Rivers

Okafor Ofiebor/ Port Harcourt

Operatives of anti-cultism of Rivers State Police Command have been deployed to some Communities in Emohua Local Government Area to hunt down suspected cultists that engaged the Police in a stiff gun duel on along the axis of the East-West Road in the council.

It was learnt that travelers and Staff of Emohua local government Council in the axis were stranded as the notorious cult gang leader and his men engaged the Police in gun duel.

SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the Spokesperson for the Rivers State Police command, confirmed that there was an exchange of gunfire between some criminal elements and the Police tactical units who were deployed to that area.

She, however, said the policemen overpowered the criminals who ran away after about 30 minutes exchange of fire with them.

However, eyewitnesses say motorists were stranded for over thirty minutes during the shootout. They said many people fled into nearby bushes, while motorists quickly made a detour to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

A native of Elibrada, a community in the area who spoke anonymously to this newspaper, said trouble started when a suspected cult kingpin and his members ran into a Police patrol team. He said the suspected kingpin has been terrorizing the area.

Our Correspondent reports that there has been relative peace in the council area with rejigging of the security architecture by the local government Chairman,Dr Chidi Lloyd in recent times.

However, Saturday’s incident and now regular kidnapping of commuters on the Emohua-Kalabari road are clear signs that the is a gradual resurgence of criminals in the area.