We lost over 400 people to cultists – Rivers community

EKPEYE ethnic group in Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas of Rivers State said on Thursday that their community lost over 400 of its indigenes within two years to cult-related killings.

One of the leaders in the area and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Chibudom Nwuche, disclosed this when he paid a solidarity visit to Eze Ekpeye Logbo, His Royal Majesty, Eze Robinson O. Robinson, to mark the Yuletide at his hometown in Odiereke community, Ahoada West LGA.

Speaking at the monarch’s palace, Nwuche said the communities of Ekpeye were still in shock of the recent cult killings in the area.




Nwuche explained that several innocent citizens of the area were killed with some of them beheaded, even as he observed that peace had returned because of the amnesty programme of the state government.

He lamented that the Ekpeye ethnic nationality, one of the largest groups and major oil producing community was being marginalised.

Nwuche lamented the absence of good road networks in the area, adding that the government had not given the people due recognition in the recent times.

“When you take a drive around our roads, you see that our roads are not passable. I call on government because we support and work for them to come to our aid. Our people are marginalised.

“We lost over 400 souls; some were beheaded, many women were raped. Many were killed innocently. For the first time in over two years, we have come home to celebrate Christmas.

“I think the amnesty has added value and should be encouraged. All they ought to do is to ensure that these boys should be given a means of livelihood.

“I urge our people to support the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government and the state government to succeed. We should support his fight against corruption. Be law abiding and protect the oil facilities in our area.”