No fewer than 19 people were reportedly killed on Sunday during a renewed cult clash in Obelle Community, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.
This violent incident has thrown the community into chaos, with many residents fleeing for safety. The deadly conflict resumed after over two years of relative peace between rival cult groups.
The tragic events began last Wednesday when unidentified gunmen, believed to be cultists, stormed the community and killed seven individuals.
It was gathered that the supremacy battle on Sunday was between the Deybam and Icelanders cult groups.
Our correspondent learnt that after the Wednesday killing, the group whose members were killed on Sunday invaded Obelle community and started attacking relatives of those perceived to be part of the cult group that earlier killed seven people.
A source in the area, who gave his name simply as Kingsley, alleged that it was while the group who lost their members on Wednesday was operating that the rivals arrived.
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.”
When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, saying the clash was linked to levies from an oil company in the area, saying the number of casualty was 10.
She stated, “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.”