The 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, on Friday declared war on cultists terrorising some Rivers communities.
Col. Aminu Iliyasu, spokesman of the division, in a communiqué issued after a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt, said it was resolved that leaders and notable members of cult groups terrorising Ozochi community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers and others should be arrested and prosecuted.
The stakeholders also agreed that known cultist camps and bunkering sites at Udoda-Engene Forest should be located and destroyed.
Iliyasu disclosed that community leaders and all peace-loving citizens of the affected areas were enjoined to support security agencies through the provision of credible and timely intelligence.
The meeting assured all informants of their security and confidentiality, whiletraditional rulers and elders of communities were enjoined to redouble efforts to enthrone peace in their respective communities.
The gathering called for the establishment of a vigilante group comprising youths from the various communities to work with security agencies to tackle criminality in the communities.
“The Rivers Government was advised to extend fresh amnesty to militants and cult groups in the affected areas in order to achieve the much-desired peace.
“A special reconciliation meeting should be hosted by the Rivers Government at the instance of the Special Adviser on Conflict Resolution for peace in Ahoada East,” Iliyasu said.
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