Rivers community deserted as cultists kill 19 residents

At least 19 people are feared dead following a fresh cult clash in Obelle Community, located in the Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Sunday. The violence has caused widespread panic, prompting residents to flee the community for their safety.
This new wave of bloodshed comes just days after unidentified gunmen, believed to be from a rival cult group, stormed the community on Wednesday, killing seven people. The area was still grappling with the shock of that incident when, on Sunday morning, the two cult groups in the region reignited their battle for supremacy after a hiatus of over two years.
Reports indicate that the Sunday clash was between the Deybam and Icelanders cult groups. Sources suggest that following the Wednesday killings, the group whose members were killed on that day launched an attack on Obelle, targeting the relatives of those believed to be involved with the cult group responsible for the deaths.
One local source, who identified himself as Kingsley, claimed that the rival group arrived while the group seeking retribution was already carrying out attacks in the community.
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.”