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By Joel Anekwe
Following the increasing loss of lives and property to cultism and gangsterism in Ogoniland, the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike has declared that the state government would deploy more security personnel to the troubled Ogoni communities with a view to restoring peace.
Speaking on Saturday when he led the state security service commanders to Kono-Boue and Kereken-Boue towns in Khana Local Government Area, Governor Wike said that the security agencies had been mobilised to go after the criminals operating in parts of Ogoniland.
He said: “We will do everything possible to make sure that those involved in these criminal cult activities don’t go free.
“You have to cooperate with us to get the killers. Those who have perpetrated these crimes are known to community members. No armed robber operates in a place without local support. Therefore, support us with credible information.
“I feel so sad that these cultists have killed our people and displaced some communities in the area. We have taken measures to restore peace,” he said.
He said that the state Security Council has adopted new strategies to build the security framework in communities troubled by cultists, adding that “tell your people to come back. I have come here with the security service commanders to reassure you that we are doing everything possible to restore peace.
“Over the last few days we have deployed security personnel to the troubled areas. Beginning today, we are going to deploy more security personnel to different Ogoni communities to protect our people.”
Wike charged parents to “monitor their children.” He said communities must take measures to discourage youths from becoming cultists.
The governor said that the state government will support displaced communities and families of victims of the cult-related attacks in Ogoniland.
He assured the leaders of the area that government will complete the road abandoned by the Niger Delta Development Commission.
Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Mr Lahteh Loolo explained that cultists displaced some communities in the area. He commended the governor for his sustained response which reduced the level of casualties suffered by the communities. He said that with the new strategies introduced by the governor, the security challenge facing the area would be resolved.
The traditional ruler of Kono Boue, Chief Ezekiel Manson expressed happiness with the intervention of the state governor. He said when the cultists attacked the community, the divisional Police officer and his personnel responded positively.
He said there are no cultists among those who were killed and displaced in the community.
Ogoniland has in the recent past been a theater of hang war between rival cult groups leading to the killing of several people and the burning down of homes of some prominent persons and community leaders.
The people had cried out for increased security noting that the area was too large for only few police stations located in the area.
