Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Dame Anengi Barasua says her administration would leverage inter-agency collaboration in tackling insecurity in the island LGA and would not hesitate to inflict the severest punishment on any person or group of persons who undermines the security of the area.

Dame Barasua, who said this in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Bonny Local Government Council, Ralph Jamaica, threatened to invoke the Rivers State Anti-Cultism Act 2018 and other relevant extant laws to arrest and prosecute anyone caught undermining the security of the area.

She warned that properties of such persons and their identified sponsors would also be demolished where such culpability is established, asserting that her administration was focused on creating a conducive and enabling environment for residents to pursue their aspirations.

This assertion by the Bonny Local Government is coming on the heels of the killing of two persons in cult-related clashes in Bonny Town recently. Prior to that two persons were also killed in cult-related clashes in September, 2021, which happened days after suspected cultists assaulted and killed a security guard in the Waterwell 6 area of Bonny.

As a stop gap measure, the Bonny LG boss disclosed that the local government council would partner with the Bonny Legislative Assembly to create awareness and sensitize the people in their various constituencies on the dangers of cultism and the provisions of the Anti-cultism Act.

The statement is reproduced below:

“The Authority of Bonny Local Government Area (OLGA) wishes to clarify that it has received briefing on renewed acts of cultism/gangsterism leading to the death of 2 persons in the course of rival cult clashes.

It should be strongly noted that the Local Government under the administration of Dame Hon Anengi Barasua (JP) will not tolerate by any way or manner, anti-social activities that are inimical to the peace and wellbeing of the people of Bonny LGA.

Let it be known that the leadership of Bonny Local Government Council is not ignorant of the fact that the Government of Rivers State signed the Anti-Cultism Bill into Law in March 2018. The bill proscribed all forms of cultism, prescribes death penalty for any cultist who kills during a cult activity, and life imprisonment for any cultist apprehended.

To ensure the safety of the people and an enabling environment for the continued creation of wealth in Bonny Local Government Area, Council has decided to take the following immediate steps:

1. Liaise with the Bonny Legislative Council to educate the people of their constituency on the dangers of cultism and the provisions of the Anti-Cultism Act.

2. Collaborate with the Heads of all security agencies in the Island to carry out a comprehensive raid/mop up exercises of all hideouts being used by these criminal elements to perpetuate any acts of criminality.

3. All Landlords and Business Owners whose premises are used by cultists and cult groups for cult activities are advised to report all of such activities immediately as the law shall take its full course on identification of such properties, which shall include the arrest and prosecution of the property owners and demolition of such properties.

Anyone arrested in connection with cultism in the LGA (either as a cultist/sponsor/patron) shall face the full wrath of the law, and the Government shall ensure that is done in the soonest possible time.

The protection of life and property is the most important responsibility of the Government, never again shall anyone or group of people be allowed to threaten the peace and wellbeing of the people. 

Therefore, Parents, Heads of Communities and Families are hereby directed to counsel their children and ward. Reports should be made to the appropriate authority concerning cult related activities/behaviours around your homes.

Residents of Bonny LGA should be rest assured that the Executive Chairman, Dame Hon. Anengi Barasua JP, is in collaboration with security agencies to ensure the stability of Bonny LGA at all times. Citizens are encouraged to go about their lawful businesses, and do not hesitate to report all suspicious movements or actions by anybody whosoever, and be assured of utmost confidentiality.”