Juliana Francis
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a suspected leader of Greenlanders’ cult group, Silas Oderekere, who doubles as a robber in Oderereke, Ahoada-West Local Government Area.
According to the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, the suspect, also known as ‘General,’ had been on the run for the past four years, evading arrest.
His reign of terror came to an end when he resisted arrest and opened fire on the police, resulting in his death.
Iringe-Koko said: “As the head of the Greenlanders’ cult group in the Ubie clan of Ahoada West, Oderereke and his gang were infamous for their criminal activities, which included armed robbery, land grabbing, unauthorised sales of buildings, and brutal attacks on those who dared to oppose them.
“The cult leader has been known to even order the destruction of houses in communities that resisted his criminal enterprises.
“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.
“Responding, 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 arrest the gang.
“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.”
The Police image manager explained that upon searching the gang’s hideout, the police discovered a G3 Rifle and 19 7.62x51mm ammunition.
She added that 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,” said Iringe-Koko.
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, while commending the officers for their exceptional work, issued a stern warning to cultists in the state, urging them to abandon their criminal activities and renounce cultism, or face the full weight of the law and assured the residents of Rivers State that the Police Command, under his leadership, remains fully committed to maintaining peace and bolstering security in the state.
