Suspected cultists killed in shootout in Ahoada

Tina Amamda

Three suspected cultists have been killed in a gun battle between Greenland and Iceland cult groups along the East-West Road section of Ahoada East Local Government Area.

The shooting occurred on Saturday night, 6 May 2023.

A source in the community who pleaded anonymity told our Correspondent that the shooting, which caused pandemonium and made residents, and shop owners in the area flee for safety, stopped when the Ahoada East Police Division led by the Divisional Police Officer arrived at the scene and gave the hoodlums serious chase.

The source disclosed that the suspected cultists would have overrun the town on Saturday night if not for the timely arrival of the DPO and his team.

According to the source, there is a heavy security presence in the area as police patrols are seen mounted around Ahoada town.

Confirming the incident, Public Relations Officer Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe Koko, said the shooting resulted from cult rivalry between two cult groups for supremacy.

SP Koko revealed that two of the dead cultists, Azhinibudu Biko, aka Yankee, aged 35 years and Gboka Odoi, aged 37 years, were notorious criminals terrorizing the Ahoada section of the East-West Road and its environs.

She further said that efforts are on to arrest fleeing members of the gang.