At least 19 people are feared dead following a violent cult clash in Obelle Community, Emohua Local Government Area, Rivers State, on Sunday. The bloody conflict has left residents in terror, prompting many to flee the community in search of safety.
This fresh outbreak of violence comes just days after seven individuals were killed in a similar cult-related attack on Wednesday. The latest clash, which resumed early on Sunday morning, saw members of two rival cult groups, the Deybam and Icelanders, battling for supremacy after a hiatus of over two years.
According to reports, the Sunday violence erupted when the Deybam group, seeking revenge for the deaths of its members earlier in the week, launched an attack on those they believed were connected to the rival group. As tensions escalated, members of the Icelanders responded with force, resulting in a deadly exchange of gunfire that led to a significant loss of life.
A local resident, who identified himself as Kingsley, described the scene of chaos. He recounted that the community was overwhelmed with gunfire as cultists clashed, indiscriminately killing both members of the rival groups and innocent bystanders. Kingsley estimated that up to 19 people had been killed in the violence.
“The shooting was intense, and people started fleeing the community for their lives,” Kingsley said. “It didn’t take long before both groups clashed, and many more were killed. We are calling on the government to intervene. These cults are destroying our community. We need help from the police and military.”
Rivers State police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the incident, revealing that the clash was fueled by a dispute over control of levies imposed by an oil company operating in the region. Iringe-Koko stated that while 10 deaths had been confirmed, the actual number of casualties could be higher, with investigations ongoing. No arrests have been made as of yet.
“The clash was between two rival groups, Naked Wire and Carol, over control of oil company levies in the area. As of now, 10 people have been confirmed dead. We are still investigating the situation,” Iringe-Koko said.
The violence in Obelle highlights the ongoing power struggle between cult groups in Rivers State, which has resulted in frequent bloodshed and insecurity in many communities. Authorities have yet to find a lasting solution to curbing the influence of these criminal organizations, which continue to terrorize locals and disrupt daily life.
