Following last weeks’ attack by suspected cultists in Egbeda Community in Emohua Local government area of Rivers state that led to the killing of three persons, burning down of the palace of the paramount ruler and abduction of a
chief, stakeholders of the community are now calling for the intervention of the State Governor Nyesom Wike.
The stakeholders made the call after a tour to ascertain the level of damage caused by the attack.
Paramount Ruler and Nye Nwe Ali Egbeda/Ubimini Communities, His Royal Highness, Eze Christopher Nlerem Didia while addressing newsmen expressed shock and sadness over the incident, adding that peace was gradually returning to Egbeda before the attack.
Eze Didia noted that properties worth over Two Hundred Million Naira were destroyed in his palace by the hoodlums.
“We are not happy about the whole incident. They killed about 3 people in the next village and here, they burnt down my building with properties worth over two hundred million naira”.
While calling on the state and local governments to come to their aid, the Monarch enjoined the people of Egbeda to remain calm as modalities have been put in place to restore sustainable peace in the area.
“We are calling on the government to come and help me and the community to put an end to this whole thing”.
Chairman of Egbeda Community Development Committee, Batholomew Wuche Osah decried that cult activities has caused so much harm to the people and has also affected business and economic activities in the community.
He also accused the Rivers State Government and multi-nationals operating in Egbeda of not doing anything to assist the community end the crisis and restore lasting peace in the area.
“Shell and other corporate organizations in Egbeda are not helping matters when it comes to security and development, they try to shy away.
“In a mind of sincerity, Rivers state government is not helping matters in Egbeda. Egbeda is one of the largest communities in Ikwerre and Rivers state. We have oil wells running and other natural resources that contribute to the state economy.
“Since 2015 this crisis and cult activities started in Egbeda, we have been trying our best to manage the situation but the government have not shown its presence. Since then till date, we have lost over 200 lives and properties worth billions. Government have not shown concern or lead delegation to see what is happening in Egbeda. Are we not part of Rivers state?
“I am using this opportunity to call on the Rivers state government to come and assist us in Egbeda.
For the companies operating in Egbeda, we are calling on them to assist our community policing to restore sustainable peace in Egbeda.”
He appealed to cultists and all those sponsoring violence in Egbeda to have a rethink and embrace peace for the interest of the community.
Also speaking, Councilor representing Egbeda Ward 11 at the EMOLGA Legislative Assembly, Hon. Humphrey Assor condemned the incident.
He stressed the need for stakeholders, elites, opinion leaders and youths of the community to come to a round table and brainstorm on how to end the menace which according to him might not be unconnected with battle of supremacy between rival cult groups; ‘Degbam and Islanders’.
The Councilor also confirmed that a Chief in the community, Chief Amos Assor was abducted by the hoodlums on the night of the attack. “Not only did they burn houses, they also killed some persons in the eighth and ninth villages. As I speak now, a Chief, my uncle, Chief Amos Assor has been in the bush. They kidnapped him.
“Even the vigilante group, Egbeda Security Peace Advisory Council (ESPAC) needs intervention of the government.
We believe that if the government equips the security agencies properly, they will not only beef up security in the
community but they will unravel all those involved in this dastardly act,” he said.
