Residents desert communities over cult clashes, killings

PORT HARCOURT— CULTISTS have taken over Aminigboko and Owerewere communities in Abua-Odua Local Government Area of Rivers State while most residents have fled the communities. A group, Niger Delta Youths for Positive Attitudes Change and Progress, has expressed worry over the situation. According to president of the group, Mr. Enisuo Emmanuel, residents had fled the communities because of incessant clashes between rival cult groups in the communities. He said that the situation had extended to Amnioko, Egonhan, Emesu, Obrowna and Okobor communities, in the Abua-Odua council. Enisuo, who appealed to the warring youths to sheathe their swords, said several lives had been lost to the cult clashes. He noted that the warring cult groups had taken over several parts of the communities, laying claim to them as their conquered territories. He enjoined the youths to take advantage of the various empowerment and training programmes being organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for youths in the region to develop their capacity and quit cultism. He urged security operatives, the state and Federal Governments to take urgent steps to end the killings in the area.