You’re distorting facts on Cult Crisis that claimed nine lives – Group attacks Police
The South-South Human Rights Observatory (SSHRO) group, has accused the Nigerian Police of attempting to distort facts about an intra-cult clash that claimed nine lives at Rivers State.
The intra-cult clash happened at Abarikpo community in Ahoada-East local government area of Rivers State.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Grace Iringe-Koko, had told journalists that one of the deceased leader of a cult group in the community, James Bright, popularly known as ‘Borokiri’ was killed during a gun duel with the police.
But, SSHRO, in a statement made available to Leadership in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, said its own findings revealed that the intra-cult clash, which claimed the lives of Borokiri and others, was ignited when he (Borokiri) defected to a faction of the same cult group in the community.
The statement, which was signed by the group’s programme officer, Human Rights, Ella Susan, further revealed that the cult leader defected to the faction of the cult group with an AK-47 rifle and nine magazines belonging to his former faction.
The statement reads in part: “The South South Human Rights Observatory (SSHRO), is shocked by the deliberate attempt of the Nigerian Police to to distort the facts of the Intra Cult carnage that took 9 lives at Abarikpo community in Ahoada East LGA of Rivers state on the night of Wednesday, 14th December, 2022, in a cult rivalry and many others sustaining various degrees of injuries.
“Investigation by our field teams reveal that the clash was ignited when a cultist in the community, James Bright a.k.a. Borokiri, defected to a rival faction within the Icelander cult group. While defecting he took along with him a rifle and nine magazines belonging to his previous cult faction.
“The action of defecting with the rifle angered members of the previous faction,whose leaders is a notorious cultist fondly called 2baba, who immediately mounted an operation to apprehend the defecting member and also to rescue the rifle.
“Our field teams were told by community sources that the defecting member was trailed to a hideout, where a fierce exchange of gun fire took place. In the firefight, nine persons were confirmed dead, while many suffered various types of wounds.
“Some of the dead and wounded, were confirmed to be innocent members of the community who were caught in the deadly crossfire.
“There was no police presence in the community during the incident, so it is a wonder how the police could have claimed to have gunned down three cultists. The DPO of Ahoada Division who is rumoured to be very close to the cultists only arrived after the carnage to retrieve the corpses of the dead,and may have lied to his superiors.
“Our investigators disclosed that the community has been deserted, following fear that the fight may continue to escalate. It was not possible to ascertain the names of the victims, as palpable fear has gripped indigenes of the community, over fear of possible reprisals.
We condemn the violence which is a harbinger of further violence, especially this election season. Ahoada East is fast becoming the epicenter of violence, despite previous efforts to promote peace in the area.”
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JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas
JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, declaring that the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, will be heading the council for a period of 2 years.
The declaration follows the passing of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, by the state House of Assembly, and the signing of the same into law by the governor.
Recall that the lawmakers had amended Clause 5 of Section 28 of the Chieftaincy Law to make the Council chairmanship rotational among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Soun of Ogbomoso, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
While inaugurating the Council, Governor Makinde said he had consulted with the trio of the Alaafin, the Olubadan and the Soun, with the three of them reaching a consensus that the chairmanship should start with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Ladoja.
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NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun
NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun
The Inspector General of Police (I-GP), Dr Kayode Egbetokun, has assured that the police remained committed to community policing to ensure that criminals were drastically reduced in the country.
The I-GP, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector of Police ( AIG) Zone 17, Dr Ajani Musibau, stated this at the Police Community Relations Committee ( PCRC) National Leadership Training and Conference on Thursday in Akure.
The theme of the conference is: “Inclusivity and Diversity: the New Leadership Paradigm.”
He said that security could not be achieved by only the police, but with the support from the community.
The I-GP stated that security was a joint work and responsibility of all, commending the current leadership of the Nigeria Police for a paradigm shift towards modern policing.
Also, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Mr Adebowale Lawal, said that bandits could not infiltrate the state due to community policing strategy embraced by the command.
He explained that bandits would have infiltrated the state through Kogi and Edo, but intelligence reports from members of PCRC had been a great help to the police command.
According to him, the support and logistics received from the Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun and Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa had also motivated police personnel to work earnestly.
He said that effective community policing was a sure way to curb activities of criminals, and implored members of the public not to relent in their efforts to provide police and other security agencies with useful information.
Lawal also commended other conventional security agencies, forest guards and vigilantes for their support to the police in fighting bandits
In his remarks, the National Chairman of PCRC, Alhaji Ibrahim Mogaji said that the conference was to strengthen leaders of PCRC in the South-West zone and encourage them to redouble their efforts and support in fighting crimes.
According to Mogaji, the occasion also enabled the association to appreciate Gov. Aiyedatiwa, I-GP, the AIG Zone 17 and the state Commissioner of Police.
He advised the participants to moblise other members of PCRC and orientate them on their roles to continue to fight crime in the country.
The PCRC national chairman asked Nigerians to respect the dignity of police and to be civil when interacting with them.
Mogaji said that the leadership training would be replicated in other geo-political zones of the country.
Also, Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Security, Mr Gbenga Atiba, commended the PCRC , AIG Zone 17, and the Commissioner of Police for their unrelenting efforts to guarantee peace across the state.
Aiyedatiwa promised that the state government would give PCRC attention and continue to support police and other security agencies with appropriate logistics that would make policing more effective.
A guest lecturer, Comrade Yinka Folarin asked members of the public to give respect and dignity to members of the police, saying that they also had rights that must be respected.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PCRC honoured Gov. Aiyedatiwa, AIG Zone 17 and the Commissioner of Police with awards. (NAN)
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Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told
Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for improved welfare packages for armed forces personnel and all members of the security and intelligence community to aid their effectiveness and efficiency.
National Chairman of PDP, Tanimu Turaki, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Thursday to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.
Turaki also urged the Federal Government to adequately fund security agencies to effectively neutralise those he described as agents of insecurity, and restore peace to the country.
He expressed PDP’s condolences to the families of members of the armed forces who died in active service while executing their mandate of protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
“On a day like this, we acknowledge that they paid the supreme price for the continuous existence of our country.
“We advise all actors, whether state or non-state, not to engage in actions capable of destabilising the country.
“In honour of those who have died to keep our country safe, we pray that their deaths may not be in vain and their labours not forgotten,” Turaki said.(NAN)
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