Residents of Obelle Community, Emohua Local Government Area, Rivers State, fled in terror after a renewed cult conflict on Sunday that left at least 19 persons thought dead.
Following an earlier event on Wednesday in which seven persons were killed by unidentified gunmen thought to be part of a cult organization, the violence represents an increase.
The Sunday clash involved a battle for supremacy between the Deybam and Icelanders cult groups, ending a two-year period of relative calm in the area.
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Sources indicate that the group that lost members in Wednesday’s attack invaded Obelle community on Sunday, targeting relatives of those believed to be affiliated with the rival cult. It was during this operation that the rival group arrived, leading to the intense exchange of gunfire.
Eyewitness Accounts
A local resident, identified as Kingsley, reported, “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.”
Additionally, Kingsley appealed for government intervention, stating, “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.”
Account From State Police
Furthermore, the Rivers State police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the incident, attributing the clash to a dispute over levies from an oil company operating in the area, putting the death toll at 10.
“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,” she stated.
Source: Punch
