Residents Decry Alleged Spike In Cult Activities In Rivers Community

Residents of Nweol Community in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State have raised alarm over alleged increasing cult-related activities in the area, saying that if urgent steps are not taken by security operatives to curb the situation, it might escalate.
Nweol community had, in the past months, been under siege of various cult groups especially De-Gbam, De-Well and the Vikings confraternities who allegedly stabbed persons to death, including traders, farmers and snatched handsets at gun-point.
A resident, Barr Chris Uebari who spoke to journalists in Nweol yesterday, lamented over the security problems bedeviling the people of the area and its adjoining communities, these months, especially with criminals terrorising innocent citizens in the area.
He, however, appealed to Governor Nyesom Wike as well as the authorities of Gokana Local Government Area and security agencies to critically overhaul the security apparatus in Gokana with a view to putting the situation under control for the betterment of all in the area.
Uebari noted that in the past, Nweol Community had one of the best vigilante outfit, professionally equipped to tackle the cultists and other criminals, wondering what happened to the people within the past few years.
Another resident, Mrs Daughter Gbarabe advocated that the leadership of the area should specify the job between the anti-cult unit and Nweol Community Vigilante Group, adding that it was the only way crime could be curtailed.
She advised the Police Commissioner in Rivers State and other security machineries to re-strategise with a view to ensuring those behind the activities are brought to book.
Also, a renowned environmentalist, Dr. Temple Barinadaa, added that suspected cultists would be apprehended and arraigned in court and assured the community and its citizens of government commitment to their protection.
All efforts made by our correspondent to reach the Chairman of Gokana LGA for his comment on the matter, proved abortive as at the time of filing this report.

By: Bethel Toby