Operatives of the Rivers State Police command have killed a wanted cult leader identified as Silas Oderereke, and his accomplice during a shootout in Oderereke community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state.
A spokesperson for the Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, who disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday, January 14, 2024, said Oderereke, also known as ‘general’ is the leader of the Greenlanders’ cult group in the Ubie clan in Ahoada West had been on the run for the past four years.
According to the PPRO, the notorious cult leader and his gang were involved in armed robbery, land grabbing, unauthorized sales of buildings, and brutal attacks on those who dared to oppose them.
“On January 11, 2024, the police received information about Oderereke’s gang’s robbery operation, which also involved vandalizing the property of the late monarch, Eze Robinson O. Robinson,” she stated.
“Responding swiftly, the police chased the criminals out of town. However, the defiant ‘General’ rallied his gang and launched an attack on a community-owned tank farm in Oderereke, intending to loot its contents.
“It was during this sabotage attempt that the police managed to apprehend the gang.
“Silas Oderereke and one other member of his gang opened fire on the police team, leading to an exchange of gunfire. In the shootout, Oderereke and his accomplice were neutralised 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.”
“Further investigations uncovered a camp Oderereke had established 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 neighbouring communities.
“The affected communities expressed their 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, commended the operatives for their discreet investigation and for neutralizing the hoodlums.
CP Disu warned cultists and other criminal gangs to turn over a new leaf or be ready to face the law, saying the command under his leadership will make the state unbearable for them until they are smoked out.