Rival cult clash leaves three dead in Rivers

In Onne, Eleme Local Government Area, Rivers State, a new conflict between opposing cult groups has resulted in the deaths of at least three people and the arrest of three suspects. 

It was learnt that one of the cult groups had attacked the other first, murdering two people on Friday, although the identities of the factions were not disclosed. 

On Saturday, there was retaliation for the incident. According to the authorities, one of the three people slain in the altercation was "Small Lighter," a renowned cultist who had been terrorising the region.

It was found that the opposition group's intermittent gunfire caused the neighbourhood to become confused, leading some locals to flee. 

In Port Harcourt on Sunday, Grace Iringe-Koko, the state police command spokesperson, confirmed the event to reporters.

Iringe-Koko said, “Yes I can confirm the cult clash. Three persons were killed and three suspects arrested.

“From the information available to me, one of the suspects called ‘Small Lighter’ who has been terrorizing the Eleme axis killed one person from the other cult. So in retaliation they went after him and killed him. One other was killed earlier, so three persons in all.

“Our men have been deployed to the area and calm has been restored. Investigation is ongoing to fish out other fleeing suspects and ensure they are prosecuted.”

In the meantime, Brain Gokpa, the Chairman of Eleme LGA, has pledged to support the security personnel in order to guarantee the capture and punishment of the murderers. 

In response to the fight between the cults, Gokpa urged the young people of the Onne community to maintain their composure and not take matters into their own hands.

Source