Police kill notorious cult leader, 'Solution' in Ahoada, Rivers

Rivers State Police Command says it has killed a notorious cult leader, identified as Izuma David-Odiereke, popularly known as Solution, operating in Owube Kingdom, Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state.

State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, confirmed the operation at the Ahoada Area Command, where the deceased cult leader's body was brought.

CP Disu disclosed that David-Odiereke, who had long been on the police's wanted list, met his demise in a shootout with law enforcement officers in a forest within the area.

In a statement issued by the command's Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, CP Disu revealed that the police had been under constant attack by David-Odiereke and his cult group for some time.

The late cult leader was declared wanted by the command in 2016 due to his involvement in numerous killings.

Describing David-Odiereke, popularly known as "Solution," as a serial killer, the statement highlighted his reign of terror, which resulted in over ten individuals being killed, including the notable paramount ruler, Sampson, who fell victim to the gangster on February 2, 2024.

Disu commended the officers of the Ahoada Area Command and Division for their dedication and urged them to remain steadfast in maintaining peace and security in the region.

He also expressed gratitude to the local community for their cooperation, providing crucial intelligence and credible information to support law enforcement efforts.

The statement partly read, "He has been on the wanted list since 2016 close to about 10 years.

"He has been a serial killer and a lot of people have died through his hands. Nobody can fish; nobody can go to the farm because of this man. The Ipia clan is deserted because he kills and escapes at will.

"Because of him, the clan is deserted, but today officers of this Command led by the DPO personally went after him, laid siege and luckily for us he has been gotten. So this is the end of the era of General Solution."

Speaking on the development, the Ahoada East LGA Chairman, Hon Ben Eke said, "I'm indeed very happy this one was killed in Ahoada West.

"We know that cultists in Ahoada East and Ahoada West do things together.

"So, that this one has been brought down together means that criminality will reduce in our own local government. I commend the IGP, the CP, and the Officers of the Police."

On his part, the Paramount ruler of the Owube community, Seji Erbenezer, expressed relief at the news of the notorious cult leader's demise, commending the police for their swift action.