The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed claims by Amnesty International that there were rising cult-related killings in the state.
In a swift reaction to the global human rights NGO’s report, made public, on January 9, 2020, the police said: “That report is not a true reflection of what is on ground in Rivers State”.
The police state that on the contrary, there was a steep decline in cult-related violence and killings in the state, stressing that the security situation in the state was far better than what obtains in some other states in the country.
It would be recalled that Amnesty International had released a report, detailing what it claimed to be high incidences of killings in the state in the last 12 months.
The release read: “The failure of authorities to protect people from attacks and intimidation by violent gangs is leading to loss of lives and rising impunity that is making life precarious in some communities across Rivers State.
“At least, 60 people were killed in 2019 alone in various communities of Rivers State, especially; Khana and Gokana local government areas. It appears that the government is still not doing enough to protect people in these communities from attacks.
“The killers are literally getting away with murder, while no one is being arrested or punished for these crimes.
“The authorities have failed to bring those responsible for these horrific crimes to justice and have allowed a climate of impunity to fuel further violence. We call on the Nigerian authorities to take more robust action to stop these attacks by investigating every clash and bringing perpetrators to justice”, said Country Director, Amnesty International Nigeria, Osai Ojigho.
“The government has an obligation to defend and protect its citizens; its failure to provide a safe environment for people in Rivers state especially in Emohua, Khana and Gokana local government areas and its failure to investigate and prosecute those responsible for these killings created an atmosphere of fear in the region.
“An investigation by Amnesty International reveals that the rise in cult related violence is as a result of government’s failure to investigate, arrest and prosecute perpetrators, as the culture of impunity continues to embolden further attacks. Residents also alleged that influential politicians often provide arms and protections to violent youth groups.
“In few cases where the Nigerian security agencies did respond to the armed gang clashes, their response is slow and inadequate. Residents informed Amnesty International that gang clashes usually last for 2 – 3 hours while security forces always arrive hours after the clashes ended.
‘Communities affected by these clashes said despite fatalities authorities have not taken any concrete actions.
“Whenever there is an attack by the armed gangs, we usually call the police and other security agencies to come to our rescue but they only arrive when the gangs have left. When they come, they will arrest innocent villagers, mount road blocks and send security men to the villages, but after two weeks they dismantle the road blocks and leave the community until another violent gang attack,” said a resident of one of the affected communities.
“People have been linking the rise in violence to arming of youths by politicians for electoral purposes.
“A youth leader in Khana community blamed politicians for providing arms to the youths during elections.
“Different political parties use different criminal cult groups for their selfish interests. If they think their group is not strong enough to deliver, they empower them with more weapons. But they don’t think about the aftermath of everything. They don’t care what happens after elections.
“At least 49 people have been killed in different communities in Khana local government area in series of attacks between April and September 2019, according to villagers and community leaders.
