At least 19 people were reportedly killed in a renewed cult clash in Obelle Community, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Sunday. The violent incident has caused widespread panic, forcing many residents to flee for safety.
The latest clash comes just days after unidentified gunmen, suspected to be cult members, stormed the community on Wednesday and killed seven people. While the community was still mourning the losses, rival cult groups resumed their long-standing battle for dominance on Sunday morning, breaking a two-year truce.
READ ALSO: Increased allowance: At last, NYSC sends cheering message to corps members
Sources revealed that the confrontation was between the Deybam and Icelanders cult groups. According to a local resident identified as Kingsley, the group that suffered casualties on Wednesday retaliated by attacking relatives of those they believed were responsible for the previous killings. However, as they carried out their assault, the rival group arrived, triggering intense gunfire and further casualties.
Kingsley described the violence, stating, “On Sunday, cultists engaged in a deadly clash in our community, and many innocent people lost their lives. The shooting was relentless, forcing people to flee. So far, about 19 people have been killed. We are pleading with the government to intervene because these cults are tearing our community apart. We need the police and army to help us.”
When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident but stated that the official death toll was 10. She explained that the conflict stemmed from a dispute over levies collected from an oil company operating in the area.
“It is a clash between loyalists of Naked Wire and Carol over control of oil company levies. So far, 10 deaths have been confirmed. No arrests have been made yet, but investigations are ongoing,” she said.
