Bobrisky has been captured, Gov Wike says

Less than 24 hours after Governor Nyesom Wike placed a N30m ransom on Bobrisky, a notorious cultist in the state, there are indications that he has been captured by soldiers.

Wike had given the hint about Bobrisky’s arrest by a group of gallant soldiers; however, the details of where and how he was apprehended remains sketchy.

The governor had, on Thursday, evening declared the notorious cult leader wanted and had expressed dissatisfaction over the increase of cult activities in the state.

But speaking during a security meeting with leaders of Rumuolumeni community at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday, Wike expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Army “for capturing” the suspected cultist. Wike also promised to redeem his pledge of N30m bounty to the Nigerian Army.

“The Army has captured Bobrisky of Gokana. I will pay the bounty that I promised to the Nigerian Army.

“Anyone who generates insecurity in Rivers State, I am ready to pay any amount to ensure the arrest of that person,” the governor said.

Wike, however, called on community leaders to supply information to the State Security Council on criminals in their communities for the security agencies to act frontally to reduce crime.

He described Rumuolumeni as one of the flashpoints in the state, where criminals use the waterway as a getaway point, even as he appealed to community leaders to cooperate with the state government to check the activities of cult groups and other crimes in the area.

The governor reiterated the proscription of youth groups in the state, adding that any youth body that plans to operate must first be profiled.

Also, the State Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Dandaura, said almost all communities had been overrun by cultists, maintaining that security agencies cannot watch the situation degenerate.

He commended the governor for donating vehicles to the security agencies to fight crime, assuring him that security agencies will intensify the battle against crime to achieve results.

However, when contacted, the Deputy Director, Public Relations, 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, said he was not aware of Bobrisky’s arrest.

But the State Police Public Relations Officer, Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed that Bobrisky has been arrested, but added that details of where and how he was arrested were still sketchy.