The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Emeka Nwonyi, has ordered the fresh deployment of police operatives to Bodo City in Gokana Local Government Area of the state to address the rising security concerns.
This action comes in response to a recent attack by suspected cultists in the area, during which a youth was killed, causing panic among residents, including traditional rulers and chiefs who have fled the community.
Bodo City has been experiencing security breaches, including an attack on two youths on surveillance duty at a Shell pipeline, as well as an oil spill from the Trans Niger Pipeline. The recent attack on Monday further escalated tensions in the area.
The Vice Chairman of the Bodo Council of Traditional Rulers, Joseph Kpobia, expressed concerns about his safety and that of other chiefs, stating that they were being threatened by the miscreants and were on the cultists’ wanted list.
In response to the situation, the state Commissioner of Police held meetings with chiefs and stakeholders in the area and assured them of increased security presence. He acknowledged the challenges of limited manpower but pledged to deploy additional personnel to improve security in Bodo City.