Dead: Igbudu and his gang members

Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

Residents Ahoada community and environs in Rivers State went into spontaneous jubilation when news spread like wild fire late Saturday that the Police has  killed “General Igbudu,” a notorious cult leader and some members of his gang.

The traumatized residents celebrated with the believe that the death of ‘General Igbudu’ and his gang would end the orgy of violence in their area.

The Rivers State Police Command confirmed on Sunday that its anti-robbery squad gunned down a suspected cult leader aka General Igbudu and his gang members who have been terrorising Ahoada East, Ahoada West and Ogbe/Egbema Ndoni local government areas.

In statement issued by its spokesman, Omoni Nnamdi, the Police said it received distress call on Saturday night about 8.40pm of an armed robbery attack at Ihuike axis of the East/West Road in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“In a swift response, the Ahoada Division led by the DPO immediately mobilized to the scene and the armed robbers on sighting the Police Patrol Van, opened fire on the Police.

“While an 18-Seater Bus heading to Port Harcourt from Benin was under attack, the driver lost control and the car somersaulted, while 3 persons were feared dead.

“The rest passengers were rescued. In the ensuing gun battle, the Police over powered the armed robbers, six of the armed robbers were fatally wounded and died on their way to the hospital.

According to Police “The robbers are the notorious gang of armed robbers/kidnappers who have been terrorizing the East/West Road.

“The leader of the gang is one ‘General Igbudu,’ who is suspected to be responsible for all the killings in Ahoada community and the kidnapping of fourteen (14) passengers from Omoku to Port Harcourt, three weeks ago and had earlier been declared wanted by the Police.”

The Passengers were said to have been rescued by the Police.

Some of the items recovered from the late robbers include four Ak 47 Riffles with S/Nos. 56-3453611, 1979 CH 01020, 56-2614653 KO 358312 and 30 rounds of 7.62mm Ammunition.

Other weapons recovered from the gang include one Tokarev Pistol S/No. 96301517 with one round of 9.mm Ammunition,One Brownie Pistol No. F.A 5293 and two military face caps.

The Rivers state Police command further said that the injured accident victims are receiving treatment in the hospital.

The Commissioner of Police Rivers State,  Francis Mobolaji Odesanya, assured the people of the state to go about their lawful businesses as there is no cause for alarm.