Christians warned of plans to attack them during new year crossover night in Port Harcourt
Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Christians in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, especially those residing in crime-prone densely populated Diobu axis of the city have been thrown into panic over the caution given by Prince Amatari Bipeledei, the Secretary of Diobu vigilante Group, DVG, that hoodlums in the area have perfected plans to violently attack them during crossover night service of Tuesday, 31 December.
Bipeledei claimed that intelligence report available to the Vigilante group showed that hoodlums in the area have concluded plans to violently rob them of valuables like, phones, wristwatches, Ipads, earings, bangles among others and also and snatch their cars while returning from the service.
The Spokesman of the DVG who was a target of a failed assassination attempt on September 20, 2018, said, “From available information, hoodlums, especially cultists have perfected plans to rob Christians who have plans to participate in the 2018 crossover night into the new year, Bipeledie said while advising that those going for the service should not carry valuables that could be target of attack to avoid the experience of last year.
Diobu axis of Pot Harcourt has been a hot bed of rival cult gang clashes which have led to loss of lives.
Businesses close as early as 5pm to avoid being violently mugged in the area.
Bipeledei pleaded with the state government to fund Vigilantes and intelligence gathering for security agencies and Neighbourhood Watch.
He stated that his desire to fight insecurity is not a selfish one, but is borne out of passion and love for the people of the area.
The Secretary of Diobu Vigilante urged people residing and doing business in the area to always give timely and useful information to security agencies as fighting criminality requires concerted and collective effort.