A man who sells vegetables has been killed during a clash by rival cult groups in Port Harcourt.
It was gathered that the incident which occurred on Friday, the 15th of May, left two other persons dead with several others injured.
The clash was due to a supremacy battle between Iceland and Deygbam cult groups over the collection of marching ground levies from traders at Bishop Okoye Street, Mile 3 in Diobu Port Harcourt.
The incident caused panic among residents in the area as the vegetable seller identified as Leonard Chika was said to be a member of Deygbam cult group, a claim his friends said was not true.
He was shot in the head and died instantly.
Chief Security Officer, (CSO), Diobu Vigilante Group Rumu-Elechi community unit, Godstime Ihunwo said that the clash also left several cars parked at the roadside destroyed.
He explained that members of Deygbam cult group attacked him and his men before the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Nkpolu Division.
Comrade Ihunwo stated that while they were trying to contain the situation that led to the killing of a vegetable seller, the suspected Deygbam boys who were on rampage attacked and injured them in the presence of the police and none of them was arrested.
The CSO explained that the suspected Deygbam boys left, issuing a direct threat that they must kill him and his men for the death of their member.
Comrade Ihunwo noted that it has been a reoccurring decimal as he sensed there is a back up which is giving the hoodlums courage and boldness to perpetrate crimes.
Mayor of Portharcourt City, Victor Ihunwo declared that he will deal ruthlessly with cultists in the Diobu axis of the city.
Speaking at the scene of the killing, Ihunwo vowed to tackle the cultists and bring them and their sponsors to book.
Meanwhile, the Mayor revealed that he will meet with security agencies to work out modalities on how to rid Diobu of cult-related killings.
Hon Victor Ihunwo warned parents and guardians to have a firm grip of their children as any person or group of persons linked to any form of cult-related killing in Diobu will be summarily dealt with.
Landlords in Diobu were warned to report any suspected cultist occupying their building to the law enforcement agencies, as they will be held liable if it is discovered that a suspected cultist occupies their building.
The Mayor, however, advised law-abiding residents of Diobu to go about their normal duties and also restock their houses as security agencies are on top of the situation.
