The Rivers State Police Command said its men killed three suspected cultists during a shootout in Udebu Community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State on Sunday evening.
It was learnt that members of the Iceland and Greenland cult groups terrorizing the Ahoada East and West LGAs had mobilised for a supremacy battle when the police swooped in on them.
The operatives said they acted on a tip-off arrived at the scene at about 5 pm and returned fire immediately the miscreants shot at them leading to three fatalities.
A community source told our correspondent that the leader of one of the gangs identified as Ikechukwu Uturu popularly known as ‘Old School’ from Ahoada East and other hoodlums escaped with bullet wounds.
He stated,” After they opened fire on the men from the Ahoada Police Division, one of the cultists called Bright and two others were killed.
“But one hard man who is gang leader, Ikechukwu Uturu, aka Old School and two others escaped with injuries because the police shot them.”
The source who pleaded anonymity further said one locally fabricated G-3 rifle, a locally fabricated pistol that uses AK-47 ammunition, charms and other dangerous weapons were recovered from the miscreants.
It was gathered that pandemonium ensues during the gun battle which lasted for almost an hour, as many residents of the area fled into the bush, while others remained indoors till Monday morning.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the incident.
Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police said, “Yes I can confirm that three cultists were killed.
“The cultists were engaging in a supremacy battle when we (police) received credible information and mobilized our men.
“Three of them were neutralized. An investigation is still on to apprehend other gang members and ensure that they face the law.”
