Appeals, suggestions and enforcement of police officers in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State have failed in resolving the differences between cult gangs as they engage in riot activities as Tragedy struck in Rivers communities leading to the death of scores.
It was a story of woeful tales for two communities in Khana Local Government Area as suspected members of rampaging cult gangs were ransacked and invaded leading to the killings of unknown persons and destruction of properties.
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that a Paramount ruler identified as MENE BARISUA was beaten after which they extended their attacks to neighbouring community, Kere-Bangha where they also committed arson.
An indigene of Kere-Bangha, Lucky Deekae, who confirmed the attack, said several inhabitants of his community and their neighbouring Luu-mene community fled their homes for fear of reprisal attacks.
While addresing journalists, the Rivers State Police Command denied the number of casualties recorded in the attack in communities in Khana LGA was high.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Nnamdi Omoni confirmed that only 16 people lost their lives in the gang attack on the two communities.
This was contained in a statement released to Newsmen and a copy made available to WITHIN NIGERIA where Nnamdi Omoni stated that the figures being bandied in some sections of the media, is fake news capable of stirring disaffection and causing panic and tension in the State.
Three persons were killed in the two attacks but officers were able to capture two suspected cultists; thirty-three-year-old, Demwua Karagbara and twenty-three year Old, Dinee Prince, DSP Nnamdi Omoni confirms.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Rivers State Police Command has been drawn to the above ‘Caption’ making the rounds on Social and Traditional media on the State of affairs in Opuoko and Lumene Communities in Khana LGA.
“Ordinarily, this distorted news should have been ignored as the Command is not given to frivolities and fake news capable of stirring disaffection and causing panic and tension in the State.
“However, in order that the public will not be immediately misinformed and hold erroneous impression resulting from the fake news, we have therefore deemed it necessary to put the records straight and state as follows.
“That today 18/8/19 at about 0630Hrs, information got to us that a group of Cult boys invaded two Communities in Khana (Opuoko and Lumene) where they attacked and killed one person in Opuoko and two in Lumene, altogether three persons died.
“The houses of the LGA Chairman and the former Youth Leader came under attack.
“The attackers on sighting the Police took to flight but were chased and two of them arrested, while the trail for others is still on.
“Exhibits recovered from them include: Assorted Phones and Military Camouflage.
“So far, calm has returned in both Communities.
“The CP has ordered Investigation into the incident with a view to ascertaining the remote and immediate causes of the attack and to bring perpetrators to justice.
“We are again appealing to the public to help us with useful information that can lead to the arrest of these mindless criminals.”