A civil society organization, the Rivers Coalition for Human Rights (RCHR) has sent a petition to the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj. Gen. Chris Musa, over the activities of cultists and pipeline vandals in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The petition titled: “Persistent, targeted attacks on Nigerian soldiers by cultists and oil bukerers in Ahoada East LG of Rivers State,” drew the attention of the defence chief to activities it considers threats to national security that are being perpetrated by criminal minds and cultists in Okporowo community and environs, in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The petition was signed by Derefaka Green, coordinator, Ndamzh Amadi, assistant secretary and Hannah Nikade program/research officer of the RCHR, respectively.
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It asserted that if the activities of these cultists and oil thieves are left unchecked, the country may soon experience another tragic incident, like what occurred on March 14, 2024, when the army, responding to a crisis between Okuama and Okoloba communities in Delta State, were ambushed.
The petitioners stated that on February 10, 2025, criminals, oil bunkerers and armed cultists under the command of a self-styled ‘General,’ identified as Junior Prince Nsirim, ambushed and attacked a military patrol team at Okporowo community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The group said during the attack, the cultists wounded some of the soldiers, while the troops killed one of the cultists, Nibi Okpara, aka Blacky, from Okporowo Community, adding that the incident was not the first time, the notorious gang had attacked soldiers carrying out their legitimate duties.
They recalled that on July 21, 2023, the same gang dressed in army uniforms, ambushed a group of soldiers, and carting away their riffles.
According to the petitioners, Nsirim (aka General Junior) has a gang of over 200 boys armed with dangerous weapons, and operate a camp in Okporowo community, from where they carry out various criminal activities, including assassinations, murder, kidnapping, oil bunkering, gun running, and rape.
“This petition is a save -our-soul message, with the hope of eliciting a proper, and measured response from your office to the activities of this evil, criminal gang, bent on subjugation the law -abiding citizens of Oshiugbokor community, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, who have become hopeless, and hapless victims to criminal activities being carried out in their own land.
“This is especially as the military outposts in Ahoada East, has not been able to arrest the situation.
“We urge you to address this national security issue that is affecting Nigeria’s oil revenue, by virtue of the illegal bunkering of the gang, and creating insecurity in Ahoada East Local Government Area,” the petitioners said.
