The supremacy battle between two cult groups in Egbeda community of Emohua local government on Thursday, claimed the lives of seven persons while eight others are currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.
The clash which according to a source who spoke to theportcitynews was one of the series of reprisals following the murder of a cult leader in the area weeks ago.
Recall that Theportcitynews reported of the murder of a cult leader in the area which caused panic and pandemonium within the community and its environs.
The source, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that cult members and their families were attacked in the reprisal.
According to the source, the groups have been after one another for some time now before yesterday’s clash.
The source also said that some of the deceased and other suspected members of the group were relaxing and drinking at one of the drinking joints when the rival cult group swooped on them and started shooting sporadically.
“Unfortunately, the bullet hit and killed three of the victims while others while trying to escape received various degrees of gunshot injuries.
“Others were captured alive and all were beheaded.
“The attack lasted for some hours as the attackers did not immediately take to their heels after the attack but raided the community for more victims and their families”.
He said: “The clash leading to the death of three cult members started in January when a cult member was shot by a rival group but surprisingly, the bullets could not penetrate him and the suspected cult members used machetes and inflicted injuries on him and he later died in a hospital”.
“Since the death of the young man, the area has never seen calmness. The two cult groups had been in a series of brawls, which have led to the death of their members, with scores injured.”
When contacted, The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP, Nnamdi Omoni said that as at the time of filling in the report, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Emohua has not briefed him on the incident.
Meanwhile, he assured that if confirmed, the command would brief the press on the incident adding that the commend would stop at nothing in ensuring that the peace that has existed in the state would continue.
He urged members of the public to go about their normal businesses without fear as the Police would not tolerate any form of break down of law and order in the state. Ends.
