The Rivers State Police Command has apprehended a notorious armed robber and cult leader, Silas Oderereke, in Oderereke, Ahoada-West Local Government Area.
In a statement issued Sunday, the police said Oderereke, also known as ‘General,’ had been on the run for the past four years, evading arrest.
It said, however, his reign of terror came to an end when he resisted arrest and opened fire on the police, resulting in his death.
The police added: “As the head of the Greenlanders’ cult group in the Ubie clan of Ahoada West, 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 them.
The cult leader would even order the destruction of houses in communities that resisted his criminal enterprises.”
It added that on January 11, 2024, the police received information about Oderereke’s gang’s robbery operation, which also involved vandalising the property of the late monarch, Eze Robinson O. Robinson.
It said: “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 killed, 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.”
The oikiice noted that upon searching the gang’s hideout, the police discovered a G3 Rifle and nineteen 7.62x51mm ammunition.
It stressed that investigations uncovered a camp Oderereke had established between Oderereke and Olokuma Communities.
It said 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.