…Exonerate children from cult related activities
By: Felix Ikpotor
Sequel to the series cult related killings that have bedeviled Kono-Boue community in Khana local government area of Rivers State, paramount ruler of the community, HRH, Mene Taalor Tornwe has denied claims that his children are cultists, adding that his children has been away from the community for about six years.
Mene Tornwe who spoke with this weekly in Port Harcourt said the last time his children visited home was in 2013 during his reception.
He stated that cultists in the community are being sponsored by a section of the community, stressing that those causing mayhem in the community are referred to as “myogo efeeloo”, meaning children of peace as they are being used to chase away those that do not belong to their faction or share same ideology with them from the community.
Mene Tornwe said his palace was and that of his brother HRH, Chief Mathew Tornwe 111, former paramount ruler of the community who has been away from the country for so many years was also destroyed.
He noted that his brother has no problem with anybody as he been away from the community for several years.
The paramount ruler maintained that his compliance with the directive of the state governor, Nyesom Wike to traditional rulers to get rid of cultists in their dormain was countered by the leader of one of the cult groups which led to the burning down of his palace and destruction of other properties worth millions of naira.
He explained that he constituted a vigilante group with non cultists as members and duely nominated by chiefs, community development committee chairmen and youths of the communities that make up the Bua.
Tormwe added that on 27th April, 2019, he convoked a peace and security meeting at the office of the Area Commander in Bori where stakeholders from the communities agreed and came out with a communiqué banning all cult related activities in the community, adding that all communities in the area should organize neighbourhood watch.
The paramount ruler said as a peace loving man he has officially written to the governor, security operatives and all concerned on the need for peace in the community.
As at the last count, its reported that about 35 persons have been killed while properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed.
In the meantime, Mene Tornwe and the entire people of Bua-Boue are now beckoning on the Department of State Security (DSS), police and other security agencies to investigate the myriads of cult related activities in the community and why the various efforts by the King to restore peace has not successful.
