Posted by By John Ighodaro, Port Harcourt on
The Rivers State Police Command has declared the leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante (NDV), Ateke Tom and ten others wanted.
The Rivers State Police Command has declared the leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante (NDV), Ateke Tom and ten others wanted.
Those declared wanted by the police allegedlly committed crimes ranging from murder to cult activities.
A former Lieutenant of Ateke Tom, Soboma George who is largely credited with masterminding the July 17 Port Harcourt jail break also made the list of wanted persons. It will be recalled that Tom and George have since been hunting for each other since the latter broke jail.
A statement issued by the command and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Ireju Barasua said those wanted for murder are Mpakaboari J., Ekine Beresibo, Daddy Tibo, Elechi (alias Degema) and Henry Johnson. They are wanted, according to the police, in connection with the murder of Rtd. Major Amachree on the 19th of July, 2005
The statement listed Charlie Biu, and Soty as those wanted for kidnapping/conspiracy and murder and specially in connection ' with the kidnapping and murder of Senibo George."
Soboma George, according to the statement, is wanted by the police for escaping from prison custody on 17 July, 2005.
Others wanted by the police include Ateke Tom, Adokiye (alias Saddam), Tonye (alias Titon), Imama Kalio and Alison in connection with alleged 'cult activities and other serious cases in Port Harcourt."
The command appealed to members of the public to provide the police command with ' useful, credible, timely and specific information that can lead to the apprehension of these wanted persons."
The statement stressed that ' such informants are assured that every information given will be treated with utmost confidentiality".
This development from the state police command may not be unconnected with last Tuesday's urban clash between two rival groups which has Ateke Tom on one side and Soboma George on the other.
The two groups which clashed around 10 pm on Tusday at the Old Township quarters of Port Harcourt freely used sophisticated weapons including AK47 assult rifles against one another in which about three people were feared dead.