By Uzair Adam Imam
In Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Police Command has successfully raided a criminal hideout in Oderereke community, Ahoada-West Local Government Area, leading to the death of a notorious cultist and armed robber named Silas Oderereke.
The suspect, who had been on the police’s wanted list for four years, was taken down during a crossfire as he resisted arrest.
Superintendent of Police Grace Iringe-Koko, the Police Public Relations Officer, revealed that the police operatives encountered armed resistance from the criminals upon entering the den in Oderereke community.
The exchange of gunfire resulted in the death of Oderereke, known as ‘General,’ while two other suspects sustained injuries, and two managed to escape.
Oderereke, the leader of the Greenlanders’ cult group in the Ubie clan of Ahoada West, was notorious for various criminal activities, including armed robbery, land grabbing, unauthorized sales of buildings, and violent attacks on those opposing his gang.
The criminals were involved in terrorizing the community, seizing land, vandalizing property, and engaging in robbery and kidnapping.
The police received information about the gang’s robbery operation on January 11, 2024, prompting a swift response to chase the criminals out of town.
However, Oderereke and his gang retaliated by attacking a community-owned tank farm, aiming to loot its contents.
In the ensuing shootout, Oderereke and an accomplice were neutralized, while others sustained injuries.Among the seized items were a G3 rifle, nineteen 7.62x51mm ammunition, and various weapons and military camouflage.
Superintendent Iringe-Koko commended the officers for their exceptional work, and Commissioner of Police Olatunji Disu warned cultists in the state to renounce their criminal activities or face the full weight of the law.