A tragic incident occurred on Sunday night in the Mile Two area of Diobu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where a taxi driver, whose identity is yet to be confirmed, was shot and killed by suspected cultists.
The attack took place during a violent confrontation between rival cult factions, adding to the rising wave of insecurity in the region.
According to eyewitness accounts, the fatal shooting happened during a gun duel between two opposing factions of a notorious cult group known as Deygbam. The clash occurred along Illabouchi Street in Mile Two, a location that has become increasingly volatile due to ongoing supremacy battles among cult groups.
This latest violence is part of a troubling trend that has plagued the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt in recent weeks. Reports indicate that at least three individuals have lost their lives within the past three weeks as a result of similar clashes among rival cult groups vying for territorial dominance.
Following the incident, operatives from the Azikiwe Police Division in Mile Two promptly arrived at the scene. The body of the deceased taxi driver was recovered and taken to the station by the officers for further investigation.
As of now, it remains unclear whether the victim had any affiliations with the cult groups involved in the gun battle, or if he was simply caught in the crossfire. Authorities have not confirmed his involvement, if any, with the cult activities.
Speaking on the incident, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the killing. She added that the police have launched a full-scale investigation into the matter to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the death and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The ongoing violence in Diobu has raised serious concerns among residents, who now fear for their safety as cult-related violence continues to disrupt daily life in the area.
