NEWS: GUNMEN ON THE RAMPAGE IN DELTA STATE AS CULTISTS ENGAGE IN SUPREMACY BATTLES. .... Kill Five Persons As Stakeholders Accuse Security Operatives Of Ineffectiveness, Compromise

"Cultists had earlier sent a circular on the Eve of the New Year, "warning that brothers to cultist, sisters to cultist, friends to cultist and their girlfriends, will not be spared and sadly, they have have made good that promise." Sources.

The efforts of the Police Command Headquarters, Asaba Delta state, under the CP Ari Mohammed Ali led leadership of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF to rid the state of crime and criminality, is currently facing a new challenge following an upsurge of killings that has engulfed some cities and communities.

This new upsurge has witnessed attacks on residents and business places by armed men who have reportedly, killed over five persons in Sapele and Mosogar since the commencement of the new year (2023).

Stakeholders in Sapele and Mosogar have raised theirs voices, calling for an immediate response aimed at tackling and bringing the activities of these armed men, identified as "cultists" to an end in order to forestall the movement of people out of these places, to safer areas.

Following an increase in the number of those seeking membership into cult groups, the reign of terror has soared with many taking out vengeance on supposed enemies and business competitors, thereby, destroying the peace and serenity of the communities affected by the increased crime rates.

The Sapele attack which left about four persons dead, was reported to have occured at a boutique, where the owner of the boutique was the said target.

The deceased, alongside his sales girl were reported shot dead on the ill-fated attack.

A source, who pleaded for anonymity, said the late boutique owner "was a 'Don' in his own conclave and had reportedly escaped an attempt last November when some suspected armed guys had come looking for him.

"They had reportedly warned her to stop the job because the next time they come for him if she is around him, they will show her no mercy." 

"Hence they shot her three (3) times when they arrived this time around because she was still there when they came." The source stated.

Speaking on the other victims, another eyewitness reported that "one of the other victims who the armed men killed inside the shop, was at the wrong place at the wrong time. He came into the boutique to buy a pair of shoes.

"The third victim was identified as a Councilor from Warri North. He wasn't involved," the source disclosed. 

"His was a case of mistaken identity as they had mistaken him as a younger brother to the owner of the boutique they had killed as they had seen the councillor close to the boutique and killed him, simply because he looked like the brother." The source further revealed.

Sources around the community had revealed that the cultists had earlier sent a circular on the Eve of the New Year, "warning that brothers to cultist, sisters to cultist, friends to cultist and their girlfriends, will not be spared and sadly, they have have made good that promise."

Residents in the community have lamented the inability of people to go out of their homes or even to their business concerns, accusing the police of having failed completely in their task to protect lives and properties.

"No one comes out anymore. Police done fail totally." A resident cried, alleging that they, the security operatives are all a part of these confraternity.

Some people, according to numerous sources, have began moving out of areas identified as "controlled areas of cultists in Sapele and environs."

It is recalled that, only in 2022, a young man was reportedly killed by some known cultists along Shell Road, a bustling residential area in Sapele and, according to residents in the area, "the boys that were held in connection with the murder have since been let off the hook despite the fact that the gun and vehicle, a red Toyota (Spider) they usee in the attack, were recovered from them almost immediately they killed the boy last year. Immediately money changed hands, they released them."

"Today, they are moving around freely and bragging about it. That they will do same and nothing go happen." Sources revealed

"We when nor join cult, na mugu them they call us. We move with so much caution and care and again, one has to avoid crowded places and relaxation spots. This is because, once they come for someone, they take on everyone around the scene."

"Even to go cut hair for saloon now people think twice. I had to call the guy that does mine to come do it at home. Cos I don't want to be at the wrong place at the wrong time." A resident pointed out.

Tasked on the efforts of the police to provide security to lives and properties, one of the residents accused policemen of harassing people with flashy cars while turning blind eyes to perpetrators of this crime and criminality.

"That's why they killed 10 over 10, son to a prominent person in the society, about 3 years ago at his business place; a popular barbing saloon in Sapele.

The rate of killing has assumed a frightening dimension and this calls for concerns by all stakeholders, to seek wats at addressing the situation before the city is emptied of life.

On what could be responsible for these unaccounted deaths, a youth leader who agreed to speak but insisted that he does not want his identity revealed, said most of these killings are as a result of failed monetary and business transactions.

Asked to throw light on the matter, said "many of these Yahoo boys use some people as 'pick-up' for their deals but on collection of monies from the defrauded victims the 'pick-up' fails to remit the money after taking their own share.

"The boy that was killed about 2 weeks ago at Shell Road inside his Lexus 330 SUV was for same reason.

"The man they shot 8 times last year at Alex close was for same reason. His son refused to give people their share. So they killed the father to pass a message across to him since he was in Ghana and out of their reach.

"3 years and the police never do a thing about it." The youth stated.

On the means of movement by these criminals, he described the cars used by these gang as expensive and exotic carsand they are always unnumbered.

"It's either they use red Corolla, red spider, blue Corolla, white Benz 300 salon, white spider. And a white venza and these are all without plate numbers." He said.