Ogoni leaders issue 14-day ultimatum to cult groups 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 clamp down.

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

The Ogoni leaders comprising of 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 issued yesterday said they can 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 the headquarters of Tai Local Government Area..

“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 Government Area that has 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”

The Ogoni leaders warned that at the expiration of the 14 days any person who fails to abide by the decision should be declared an enemy of the people and treated as such.

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

“We also resolve to send a high powered delegation of the Ogoni leadership to urgently meet with the Government to seek their necessary support to drive the peace process, and in particular, with a view to setting up a Special Task Force to track down and appropriately deal with any person that further engages in such nefarious activities” .

The Ogoni stakeholders agreed to set up a dedicated telephone number for each Local Government Area for people to send credible even if anonymous actionable information on any threats to security in their area;

They urged all of Ogoni people to be vigilant and join the new spirit of unity of purpose being ushered into Ogoni.Leaders of the Ogoni ethnic nationality yesterday rose from a strategic leadership congress with a vehement call for the cessation of all acts of insecurity and cult related violence currently ravaging parts of Ogoni land.

Senator Abe suggested that Ogoni leaders must work together to appeal to government authorities to get Ogoni people a police force that will be able to maintain law and order in the area.Mr Mitee particularly warned the cults groups to desist from their nefarious activities or risk a major clamp down.