Rivers Police Take Down Notorious Cultist and Kidnapper in Fierce Gun Battle

|By Adejumo Adekunle-

The Rivers State Police Command has scored a major victory against crime, neutralizing a notorious cultist and kidnapper, Gbarani Bume, alias Pelele, in the Luawii Community of Khana Local Government Area.

Bume, a key figure in the dreaded Iceland cult group that has terrorized the Beree/Tabaa axis of Khana LGA, was fatally wounded during a gunfight with police operatives on November 15, 2024. Acting on a tip-off, officers from the Bori Division interrupted an attempted kidnapping of a site engineer by Pelele and his gang.

Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko revealed that the suspects opened fire upon spotting the operatives, prompting a fierce exchange. While Pelele was neutralized, his accomplices fled with gunshot wounds. Recovered items included an AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and 10 rounds of live ammunition.

The operation highlights the Command’s determination to dismantle criminal networks and restore safety across Rivers State. An intensified manhunt is underway to apprehend the fleeing gang members, Iringe-Kokoa dded.