Emmanuel Nlewedum, Port Harcourt
The Rivers State Police Command said it has neutralised a notorious cultist and kidnapper, Gbarani Bume, popularly known as “Pelele” terrorizing Luawii, and other neighbouring communities in Khana local government area of the state.
A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the state, SP Grace Iringe-Koko said Bume, an indigene of Beree Community in Khana LGA, and a member of the Iceland cult group, was neutralised on Friday while attempting to kidnap a site engineer at Luawii Community, Khana, one of the four Ogoni LGAs.
Iringe-Koko disclosed that the dreaded cultist and kidnap kingpin was killed by police officers attached to Bori Police Division of the command who were acting on a tip-off, after a fierce gun battle with the hoodlum and his gang members who later took to their heels.
She said, “The hoodlums on sighting the Operatives, opened fire on the operatives and a fierce crossfire ensued between the Police Operatives and the hoodlums during which Pelele was fatally wounded, his accomplices escaped with various degrees of bullet wounds.”
The PPRO revealed that one AK-47 Rifle, Two Magazines and Ten Rounds of Live Ammunition where recovered from the suspect and his criminal gang.
She said investigation is ongoing, while concerted efforts are intensified to apprehend other fleeing gang members and bring them to justice.
SP Iringe-Koko added that the operation and killing of the Kidnapper cum cultist demonstrates the Command’s commitment to tackling and ensuring public safety in Rivers State.
