At least 10 killed as ‘cult groups’ clash in Rivers community

The police command in Rivers says 10 people were killed in a suspected cult clash that occurred at Obelle community in Emohua LGA of the state.

Grace Iringe-Koko, the police spokesperson in Rivers, confirmed to TheCable that the incident happened on Sunday morning.

The police spokesperson did not give details of the clash.

According to the Leadership newspaper, some gunmen, suspected to be cultists, attacked the community last Wednesday and killed seven residents.

The report said two cult groups engaged in a battle for supremacy on Sunday after over two years of ceasefire.

The cult groups involved in the clash were identified as the Naked Wire and Carol.

Kingsley, a resident of the community, claimed that 19 people lost their lives in the incident.

“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.

“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 too 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.”