Cult Clash: Three Killed in Rivers Community

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Three persons have been reportedly shot dead in Ibaa community, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State in alleged cult clash.

THISDAY gathered that the gunmen suspected to be Icelanders cult group members invaded the Mgbuesa Village in Ibaa, early hours of yesterday, killing the victims who were alleged to be members of Deygbam, a rival cult group.

A source from the community who pleaded anonymity disclosed that the killing may not be unconnected to the battle for control of Illegal levy known as ‘matching ground’ between the two alleged cult groups.

The source disclosed that since the LGA Chairman disbanded a local vigilante group in the area “OSPAC”, the area is beginning to return back to a den of suspected cult groups.

However, the killing incident caused pandemonium in Ibaa community, as residents and natives were sighted leaving the community for fear of escalation of violence.

It would be recalled that two persons were killed in the same Ibaa in February 2022.

Meanwhile, the State Police Command have confirmed the incident and killing.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Grace Iringe-Koko, who spoke to THISDAY, confirmed that two persons were killed in the cult supremacy battle.

She also said that “The Commissioner of Police, Eboka Friday, has deployed six patrol teams to the area.”