Police kill ‘notorious armed robber’, recover weapons in Rivers

The Rivers police command says it has killed a notorious armed robber and cult leader, identified as Silas Oderereke, also known as ‘General’.

Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson of the command, announced the development in a statement on Sunday.

The spokesperson said the suspect has been evading arrest for four years.

“Oderereke, also known as ‘General’, a notorious armed robber and cult leader, had been on the run and evaded arrest for the past four years,” NAN quoted Iringe-Koko as saying.

“However, his reign of terror came to an end when he resisted arrest by opening fire on personnel, resulting in his death.

“Oderereke, who headed the Greenlanders cult group in Ubie clan of Ahoada-West, along with his gang, was infamous for criminal activities,” she said.

She said the gang has been involved in armed robbery, land grabbing, unauthorised sale of buildings, and alleged demolition of houses belonging to those who oppose him in the community.

“Consequently, on January 11, the police received information about the cult leader’s gang robbery operation and swiftly responded by chasing the criminals out of town,” she added.

“Later, Oderereke rallied his gang and launched an attack on the community-owned tank farm with the intent to loot the farm.

“It was during this attempt on the farm that our operatives confronted the gang. However, they opened fire on the police team, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

“In the shootout, Oderereke and one of his accomplices were neutralised while others sustained injuries.”

The spokesperson further said two other leaders of the cult, identified as Danger Boy and 2-Man, who frequently collaborated with the cult leader, escaped the scene.

Iringe-Koko added that the police recovered a G3 rifle and 19 7.62x51mm ammunition from the gang’s hideout.

“Personnel also uncovered another camp between Oderereke and Olokuma communities, used by the gang to launch robbery attacks on innocent victims in neighbouring communities,” she said.

“The commissioner of police, Mr Olatuni Disu, has issued a stern warning to cultists to renounce cultism and shun criminality or face the full wrath of the law.”