Rivers: Police kill wanted Greenland cult kingpin “General” in gun battle
Operatives of the Rivers Police Command have killed a notorious armed robber and kingpin of Greenland cult gang, Silas Oderereke, alias “General” in a gun duel while he was resisting arrest in Odereke community of Ahoada-West Local Government Area of the State.
Oderereke, alias ‘General,’ had been on the run for the past four years, evading arrest by the police.
While announcing the elimination of the cult kingpin, the Rivers Police Command in a press statement signed by SP Grace Iringe-Koko, its spokesperson, said “Silas Odereke’s reign of terror came to an end when he resisted arrest and opened fire on the Police, resulting in his death.”
She stated further that as the head of the Greenlanders’ cult group in the Ubie clan of Ahoada-West local government area.
Oderereke and his gang were infamous for their criminal activities, which included: armed robbery, land grabbing, unauthorized sales of buildings, and brutal attacks on those who dared to oppose themShe added that the cult leader would also order the destruction of houses in communities that resisted his criminal enterprises.
On the events that led to his death, the Police spokesperson said, “On January 11, 2024, the police received information about Oderereke’s gang’s robbery operation, which also involved vandalizing the property of the late monarch, Eze Robinson O. Robinson.
Responding swiftly, the Police chased the criminals out of town. However, the defiant ‘General’ rallied his gang and launched an attack on a community-owned tank farm in Oderereke, intending to loot its contents. It was during this sabotage attempt that the Police managed to apprehend the gang, Silas Oderereke and one other member of his gang opened fire on the Police team, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
“In the shootout, Oderereke and his accomplice were neutralised, while others sustained injuries. Two other clan leaders, ‘Danger-boy’ and ‘2-Man,’ who frequently collaborated with Oderereke, managed to escape and are currently at large.
“Upon searching the gang’s hideout, the police discovered a G3 Rifle and nineteen 7.62x51mm ammunition,” the Rivers Police Command said.
The Command said that further investigations uncovered a camp Oderereke had established between Oderereke and Olokuma communities.
“This camp served as a base for the cult leader and his numerous followers, from where they launched robbery attacks on innocent members of neighboring communities.
“The affected communities expressed their relief and shared accounts of residents who had relocated to Port Harcourt due to the mayhem caused by the cult group,” the Rivers Police Command added.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, congratulated the officers for their exceptional operation.
“He issued a stern warning to cultists in the state, urging them to abandon their criminal activities and renounce cultism, or face the full weight of the law and assured the residents of Rivers State that the Police Command, under his leadership, remains fully committed to maintaining peace and bolstering security in the state,” the statement concluded.
