19 people killed, others desert community as police launch investigation
About 19 people were killed on Sunday in reprisals between two cult groups in Obelle community, Emohua Council in Rivers, sparking panic that made other residents desert their homes.
Gunmen believed to be members of a cult group had last Wednesday invaded the community and killed seven people.
Residents were still reeling in the pain when on Sunday morning two cult groups, Deybam and Icelanders, reignited their battle for supremacy after more than two years of calm.
It was learnt that the group whose members were killed on Wednesday overran Obelle on Sunday and attacked relatives of those suspected of being members of the cult group that killed the seven people.
An eyewitness who gave his name simply as Kingsley alleged that it was while the first group on reprisal mission was operating that the rivals arrived.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Rivers Police Command spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed that 10 people were killed the clash that was over levies collected from an oil firm.
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.”
– The PUNCH.
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