A wave of terror has gripped Obelle Community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State following a violent cult clash that has reportedly claimed the lives of at least 19 people. The renewed hostilities, which erupted on Sunday, have forced many residents to flee in search of safety, leaving the community deserted.
The crisis began last Wednesday when unknown gunmen, believed to be members of a cult group, invaded the community and killed seven people. Just days after the initial attack, rival cult groups resumed their long-standing battle for supremacy, escalating the violence to an unprecedented level.
Reports indicate that the renewed conflict involves two notorious groups—the Deybam and Icelanders—who resumed their deadly rivalry after a hiatus of over two years. According to sources within the community, the violence intensified after one faction sought revenge for the deaths of its members in Wednesday’s attack.
A resident of Obelle, identified simply as Kingsley, recounted the harrowing experience, describing the chaos that unfolded on Sunday morning. “On Sunday, cultists clashed in our community. Many people have been killed. Innocent people were among the casualties. The shooting was intense, and people started fleeing for their lives. At least 19 people have been killed,” he said.
Kingsley further explained that the violence spiraled out of control when the rival faction launched a retaliatory attack, targeting the relatives of those suspected to have been involved in the earlier killings. “They were attacking relatives of the people they accused of being part of the previous attack. It wasn’t long before the opposing group retaliated, leading to a full-scale confrontation. Members of both factions lost their lives,” he added.
Amid the growing unrest, members of the community are calling on the government and security forces to intervene and restore order. “We need the government to come to our aid. These cult groups are tearing our community apart. We need the police and army to step in and help us,” Kingsley pleaded.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, linked the clashes to disputes over levies collected from an oil company operating in the area. While initial reports suggested 19 deaths, the police confirmed 10 fatalities as a result of the violent clashes.
“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. So far, 10 deaths have been confirmed. No arrests have been made yet, but investigations are ongoing,” Iringe-Koko stated.
As the situation unfolds, residents remain on edge, fearing further attacks. The state government and security agencies are under mounting pressure to take decisive action to curb the violence and restore peace to the troubled community. The tragic events in Obelle once again highlight the devastating impact of cult-related violence in Rivers State, raising concerns over the security situation in the region.
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