Residents of Elechi Beach and Afikpo Waterfronts in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area have Lamented the incessant rape of women and female minors Girls by some suspected cultists.
Speaking to The Tide last Saturday, one of the community youth, who spoke on the condition of anonymity stated that the suspected cultists, raped women and girls and dispossessed them of their personal belongings.
“They rape peoples’ wives and daughters in that building and this incident has been happening for a long of time now. As am talking to you now there are about six to seven women that have been raped same night.
“We are calling on the Rivers State Government, the relevant authorities like the police most especially to make their presence known in these water fronts. We are also calling on organisations like the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) to come and intervene when such incident happens.
“As a result of the incident happening within this period of time, the residents of this area are living in fear, most especially the women, as they are the one being targeted mostly when it gets to 7pm or night time, they are scared to stay in their houses.”
Meanwhile, Civil Society Organisations have condemned the alleged rape incidents in the waterfronts.
The State Chairman on Human Right Watch Group, Prince Nwilor, lamented the inability of the Police to effectively safeguard the area.
“We are calling on the police in the state to live up to its responsibilities of protecting lives and property.
“For the fact that people are living in water front does not mean that they do not have right to protection, right to freedom, right to adequate security.
“We are also calling on the gang of people doing this kind of heinous crime to desist from this crime and to allow residents of Afikpo and Elechi Water Fronts all in Mile 1 Diobu to live in peace,” Nwilor added.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Nnamdi Omoni for reaction on the incident proved abortive.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana