A violent conflict between rival cult groups have claimed no less than 10 lives in Obelle Community, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.
A few days after unidentified gunmen who were thought to be cultists broke into the neighborhood and killed seven individuals, the most recent altercation took place on Sunday, February 9, 2025.
Many residents have fled the area in search of safety as a result of the terror sparked by the violent altercation.
Those killed in the altercation included innocent locals, according to one of the residents, Kingsley.
“On Sunday, cultists clashed in our community. Many people have been killed, including innocent residents. The shooting was too intense, and people started fleeing the community. About nineteen people have been killed.
“In the morning, some cultists came out and started shooting, attacking the relatives of those they believed were members of the gang that killed their colleagues on Wednesday. Not long after, the rival group came out, and both sides engaged in a fierce gun battle. Members of both groups died in the process.
“We are calling on the government to come to our aid. These cult groups are tearing our community apart. We need the police and the army to step in and stop this madness.”
Grace Iringe-Koko, Spokesman of the State Police Command, confirmed the incident, “It is a cult clash between loyalists of Naked Wire and Carol.
“They are fighting over the control of levies from an oil company operating in the area. About ten confirmed dead. No arrest yet, but investigation is ongoing.”Â