Ogoni leaders give cult members 14-day ultimatum to repent

Ogoni leaders have issued a 14-day ultimatum to rampaging cult groups, whose battle for supremacy has claimed over 50 lives, to subject themselves to traditional oath or risk a major clampdown.

The warning is coming on the heels of spate of cult clashes that have ravaged several communities, such as Zaakpon, Luawii, Kaani-Babbe, Bere, Baen, Aweh, among others.

The Ogoni leaders, comprising King Godwin Gininwa (Gbenemene, Tai), Senator Bennett Birabi, Kenneth Kobani (Secretary to Rivers State Government), Senator Magnus N. Abe, Ledum Mitee, Godwin Bebe Okpabi (Oyale, Eleme), Dr. Peter Medee, Dumnamene Dekor and others, in a joint statement yesterday, said they could no longer watch miscreants continue to unleash terror on innocent Ogoni people.

Former President of Movement for the Survival for the Ogoni People, Ledum Mitee, who read the statement at the end of a crucial congress to discuss the pressing issues of security of lives and property in Ogoniland at Sakpenwa, headquarters of Tai Local Council, said: “Having reviewed the current deteriorating security situation in Ogoniland, we express profound sadness over and wholeheartedly condemn the spate of killings, cases of cult wars and other criminal activities in parts of Ogoni, especially in Khana Local Council that have created a deep sense of insecurity.

“We hereby warn all those involved in such activities to put an end to such activities forthwith and surrender their arms and all instruments of violence and subject themselves to traditional oaths in their respective communities within 14 days.”

They, therefore, warned that at the expiration of the ultimatum, any person who fails to abide by the decision should be declared an enemy of the people and treated as such.

The Ogoni leaders also resolved that traditional and community leaders, including youth leaders, who harbour these criminals, host their camps, fail to administer the traditional oaths on their subjects and fail to expose the identities of perpetrators of these crimes, would not only be deposed but treated as accomplices.

They urged the people to be vigilant and join the new spirit of unity of purpose being ushered into Ogoniland.