The 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, on Friday
declared war on cultists terrorising some Rivers communities.
Col. Aminu Iliyasu, spokesman of the division, in a
communiqué issued after a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt, said it was
resolved that leaders and notable members of cult groups terrorising Ozochi
community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers and others should be
arrested and prosecuted.
The stakeholders also agreed that known cultist camps and
bunkering sites at Udoda-Engene Forest should be located and destroyed.
Iliyasu disclosed that community leaders and all
peace-loving citizens of the affected areas were enjoined to support security
agencies through the provision of credible and timely intelligence.
The meeting assured all informants of their security and
confidentiality, whiletraditional rulers and elders of communities were
enjoined to redouble efforts to enthrone peace in their respective communities.
The gathering called for the establishment of a vigilante
group comprising youths from the various communities to work with security
agencies to tackle criminality in the communities.
“The Rivers Government was advised to extend fresh amnesty
to militants and cult groups in the affected areas in order to achieve the
much-desired peace.
“A special reconciliation meeting should be hosted by the
Rivers Government at the instance of the Special Adviser on Conflict Resolution
for peace in Ahoada East,” Iliyasu said.
By Wale Odunsi
