Tension mounted yes­terday in Rumuegom, Rumuekini Commu­nity of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State as a former militant leader popularly known as George, issued 48 hours ultimatum to the commu­nity leaders and men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS, to desist from further arrest of in­nocent natives and release the detained youths in their custody.
A source in the commu­nity, who pleaded anonym­ity, said George, threatened to unleash mayhem in the community if his warning is not taken seriously.
The source also said the ex-militant leader gave the deadline because of persis­tent arrests in the commu­nity by security agents.
It was further gathered that there was tension in the community and many youths were said to have fled.
According to the source, the Police entered the com­munity occasionally even at nights to arrest natives thereby forcing youths to flee in droves.
Youths of the community had on Sunday, raised the alarm over what they de­scribed as unlawful arrest of members of the commu­nity by men of SARS.
The youths’ President, Wobisike Woka, alleged that SARS operatives stormed the community last Sunday af­ter the (youths) resisted at­tempt by some chiefs from selling community lands without approval from the owners. - The Authority