… as police launch manhunt of fleeing gang leader
Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have killed two suspected cultists and kidnappers in Ogbologbo community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state during a crossfire with the criminals.
Nigeriacrime.com gathered that the victims were members of a dreaded cult group led by one Ikem ThankGod, popularly known as General 2man, who unexpectedly escaped arrest during the operation, yesterday.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police noted that the now wanted General 2man is a close ally of the neutralized 2Baba and General Odereke, and has been terrorising Ahoada West LGA and neighbouring LGAs.
Iringe-Koko noted that the wanted suspected has committed several crimes in the area, regretting that he evaded arrest by the whiskers.
She said: “On March 5, 2024, he also murdered four persons, namely, Henry Kirirka, Patience Henry, Abigail Victor, and Chigozie Okpo. He also slaughtered one Samuel Philip without provocation. Last month, he buried several persons alive, including Christmas Ede and Agode Gamany.
“He has carried out a lot of kidnapping activities within and outside the Ahoada West Local Government Area. His catalogue of criminal activities also includes armed robbery and vandalisation of valuable properties.
“He coordinates the deroofing of public buildings and the selling of the roofing sheets. He also constituted himself as an authority that approves social events within the Local Government Area. This has made him attack and disrupt weddings, burials, etc., which he did not approve of.”
She said police operatives were yesterday deployed to Ogbologbo community in the quest to end cultism and criminality in the state, but that the cultists on sighting the police engaged them in a gun battle which resulted in the killing of the duo.
“During the operation, General 2man and his gang opened fire on the Police tactical team. Though he was able to evade arrest, his second-in-command, ThankGod Uchechi aka, ‘Pastor SP,’ and his third-in-command, ‘Western King’ Okpo Emenike were fatally wounded. Several gang members escaped with gunshot injuries, and two loaded AK-47 rifles and eight magazines were recovered from the gang.
“Concerted efforts are in top gear to bring General 2man and his fleeing gang members to justice and put an end to his reign of terror,” she added.
However, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Olatunji Disu, while commending the tactical team for their efforts, reiterated his commitment to fighting crimes in the state.