In a decisive operation, Rivers State police have taken down the commander of the feared 'Greenlanders' cult group during a fierce exchange of gunfire in Owube Kingdom, situated in Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state.
The deceased cult commander, identified as Izuma David Odiereke, alias 'Solution,' had been a long-standing fugitive on the police's wanted list for nearly a decade.
Reports indicate that when law enforcement operatives raided his encampment nestled within a forested area, he resorted to gunfire and attempted to flee. However, he was ultimately overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the police around 4 am on Monday.
Addressing journalists at the Area Command, Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, described the slain cult commander as a serial killer, emphasizing his reign of terror spanning years.
"He has been on the wanted list since 2016. He has been a serial killer. A lot of people have died at his hands," Commissioner Disu remarked.
"He is kind of a terror in the jungle. He operates within the town in Ahoada West, specifically within Ibiza Clan. The clan and the community had been deserted because anybody who comes around, he kills and escapes at will," he continued.
Expressing satisfaction with the operation's success, CP Disu highlighted the importance of bringing an end to the reign of terror orchestrated by 'General Solution.'
Furthermore, CP Disu disclosed that the deceased cult figure was responsible for the assassination of the paramount ruler in the area earlier this year, along with approximately nine other notable individuals murdered by his gang.
Commending the dedication and commitment of operatives from the Ahoada Area Command and Division, CP Disu urged them to maintain their vigilance in the ongoing battle against crime and criminality.
Meanwhile, residents from both Ahoada East and West Local Government Areas turned out in large numbers to celebrate the achievement alongside the Commissioner of Police and his team.
Speaking to reporters, Ben Eke, Chairman of Ahoada East LGA, expressed relief, stating, "Even if he is from Ahoada West and was eliminated in Ahoada West, criminal activities will decrease in my local government."
Similarly, Seji Ebenezer, the Paramount Ruler of the Owube community, where the cult leader hailed from, conveyed the community's elation, describing the deceased as a notorious criminal involved in multiple nefarious activities including serial killings, kidnapping, and cultism.