Police in Rivers eliminate two cult leaders and seize weapons.

 The Rivers State Police command reported that its officers killed a sought-after cult leader, Silas Oderere, and his accomplice during a shootout in Oderereke community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state.

Oderereke, also known as 'general,' led the Greenlanders' cult group in the Ubie clan in Ahoada West and had been evading capture for the past four years.

Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police and spokesperson for the State Police Command, confirmed the demise of the two criminals in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Iringe-Koko stated that the notorious cult leader and his gang were involved in armed robbery, land grabbing, unauthorized sales of buildings, and brutal attacks on those who opposed them.

The police received information about Oderereke's gang's robbery operation on January 11, 2024, involving the vandalization of the late monarch Eze Robinson O. 

Robinson's property. In response, the police chased the criminals out of town. However, the defiant 'General' regrouped his gang and attacked a community-owned tank farm in Oderereke, attempting to loot its contents.

During this sabotage attempt, the police apprehended the gang. Oderereke and another member of his gang opened fire on the police, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.

 In the shootout, Oderereke and his accomplice were neutralized, while others sustained injuries. Two other clan leaders, Danger-boy and 2-Man, who frequently collaborated with Oderereke, managed to escape and are currently at large.

Upon searching the gang's hideout, the police discovered a G3 Rifle and nineteen 7.62x51mm ammunition.

The spokesperson for the state police added, "Further investigations revealed a camp established by Oderereke between Oderereke and Olokuma communities.

"This camp served as a base for the cult leader and his numerous followers, from where they launched robbery attacks on innocent members of neighboring communities.

"The affected communities expressed relief and shared accounts of residents who had relocated to Port Harcourt due to the mayhem caused by the cult group."

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, praised the operatives for their discreet investigation and for neutralizing the hoodlums.

 Commissioner Disu warned cultists and other criminal gangs to reform or be prepared to face the law, stating that the command, under his leadership, would make the state intolerable for them until they are apprehended.