NAN-ND-2
Cultism
By Azubuike Okeh
Port Harcourt, Jan. 15, 2017(NAN) The Rumuodogo community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers said it would tackle cultism and violence to ensure security of lives and property in the area. .
Chief Ishmael Otto, Chairman, Rumuodogo Community Development Committee (CDC), said this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Otto said that the community had been engulfed in protracted cult-related violence for years which led to loss of lives and property.
He said that his newly-inaugurated committee would evolve new measures to ensure lasting peace and maintenance of law and order in the community.
He expressed worry that a few individuals had decided take the law into their hands and disturb the peace of members of the community.
The chairman said it was worrisome that Rumuodogo, once a peaceful and hospitable community, got enveloped in violence which had resulted in some residents leaving the place.
“With what we have seen in the past five years, it is obvious that our community, which was earlier known for peace, has become infested with criminally-minded persons.
“We have lost more than 10 young men to cultism and other violent activities in the past few months without people asking questions,’’ he said.
Otto promised that the CDC would endeavour to end the lingering rivalry between the traditional institution and the community’s elite.
NAN reports that the violence, which resulted in the loss of lives and property, has polarised the community and made many residents to flee to neighbouring communities. (NAN)
AZU/EMO/AMY
Edited by Ejike Obeta/Abdullahi Yusuf