13 Persons Feared Dead as Cult Groups Clash in Akwa Ibom, Kogi

 

     

No fewer than 13 persons have been feared dead as cult groups clashed in Akwa Ibom and Kogi States.

While a midnight clash between two rival cult groups in Kabawa area of Lokoja, Kogi State capital, led to the killing of eight persons with several houses set ablaze, five persons were feared killed as two cult groups clashed in Urua Ekpa community in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

It was reliably gathered on Wednesday that the attack took place when one of the cult groups was holding its meeting at about 11:00p.m. last Tuesday.

According to a source, another cult group was said to have stormed the meeting venue and opened fire at the members who were holding meeting.

The shooting led to several gun shots, as four cult members from both side were allegedly killed on the spot in Kabawa area.

The crisis further led to the burning of houses by the cultists as most of the residents flee the area.

However, in the early hour of yesterday, the situation got out of hand when both side exchanged sporadic shooting in the area resulting in the death of four persons.

The situation left many people stranded as motorists could not ply the area due to fear of being hit by stray bullet.

As at the time of filing the report, the area has been deserted as security agents fully armed now patrol to avoid any escalation of the crisis.

Meanwhile, the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Busari, has however deployed a team of armed men following renewed shooting by the cult groups in the early hours of yesterday morning in the Kabawa area.

The state Police Public Relation Officer, Mr. William Aya, who confirmed the clash, disclosed that no casualty was recorded.

He assured the resident of the area that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area with his men has brought the situation under control.

Similarly, five persons were feared killed as two cult groups clashed in Urua Ekpa community in Akwa Ibom State.

The two-day cult war in the area, an outskirt of Uyo, the state capital, reportedly occurred last Tuesday night and continued till the morning of Wednesday, which also left many wounded.

Sources alleged that the cult clash was between members of the Viking confraternity and the Iceland group.

While three persons were allegedly killed last Tuesday, two persons were reportedly killed yesterday morning.

The cause of the cult rampage could not be ascertained as the state Police Command refused to comment on the development. But a source said the two groups clash over girlfriend matter.

Besides the number of death reportedly recorded, some people also lost their phones, hand bags, jewelries, cash and other valuables while running for their dear lives.

As at yesterday, shops within the vicinity were locked while police beefed up security and more patrol vans deployed.

A source said: “At about 9 p.m. last Tuesday when I was returning home from the market, I heard a gunshot down the street and I thought it was a vehicle tyre, but after some time I heard another gunshot again. It was when I heard the second time that I knew something was wrong.

“A few minutes later, I heard people running and creaming for their lives and by this time, there was sporadic shooting.

“Since today, this area has been under serious security threat, and we couldn’t sleep last night. Three persons, including one of our neighbours, have been killed.”

Another source in the area said: “There was a big problem in this our village, yesterday (Tuesday). It continued this morning (Wednesday), and I can confirm to you that two persons have died in our street.

“I was preparing to come to my saloon this morning (Wednesday), when a group of guys started chasing our neighbour, they later caught up with him down the street, where they mercilessly murdered him.”