19 Killed In Rivers Cult Clash

Residents of Obelle Community in Rivers State’s Emohua Local Government Area have fled their homes in search of safety after a resurgent cult conflict on Sunday claimed 19 lives.

A few days before to the cult clash, seven persons were killed by unknown shooters who were thought to be part of a cult group who had infiltrated the neighborhood.

On Sunday morning, after more than two years of rest, the two local cult groups returned to their struggle for dominance while the town was still in shock over the occurrence.The cult groups of Icelanders and Deybam were said to be engaged in a dominance war on Sunday.

Following the Wednesday murder, the group whose members were killed on Sunday broke into the Obelle village and began targeting family members of people thought to be affiliated with the cult that had previously murdered seven people.

According to a local who went by the name Kingsley, the competitors showed up when the gang that lost its members on Wednesday was still in operation.

Kingsley said, “On Sunday, cultists clashed in our community. Many people have been killed. Innocent people were killed. The shooting was too much and the people started leaving the community. About 19 people have been killed.

“On Sunday morning, some cultists came out and started shooting. They were attacking relatives of the people they said were members of the gang that killed their members. It did not take time, the other group came out. They started shooting themselves. People from the two groups also died.

“We are calling on the government to come to our aid. These cults are trying to scatter the people we have in this community. We want the police and army to help us.”

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the clash was linked to levies from an oil company in the area, adding the number of casualties was 10.

She said, “It is a cult clash between loyalists of Naked Wire and Carol. They are fighting over the control of levies from an oil company operative in the area.

“About 10 confirmed dead. No arrest yet, but investigation is ongoing.”