11 killed in Rivers fresh cult clash

NO fewer than 11 persons were feared killed on Wednesday in Omoku
town, the headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of
Rivers State following a renewed cult clash in the area.
TG-TRENDS learnt that a cult group suspected to be members of the
Greenlanders cult stormed the oil-rich area and killed the reported
number of persons, leaving several others with varying degrees of
injuries.
It was gathered that a well-known medical doctor in the area
identified simply as, Dr. Erike, and one other person were whisked
away to an unknown destination by the cultists.
This was happening after a group of elite from ONELGA on Wednesday
visited the member representing them at the Rivers State House of
Assembly, Mr. Christian Ahiakwo, demanding more efforts in restoring
peace to the area.
Omoku had been in the news due to incessant cult clashes which had
resulted to the death of many innocent people.
It was gathered that the
Greenlanders had visited the area in a reprisal as a result of its
members that were allegedly killed by the dreaded Icelanders.
A community source, Mr. Michael (surname withheld), told TG-TRENDS
that the Greenlanders invaded Omoku around 9pm on Wednesday.
Michael noted that the gunmen were shouting that the Icelanders should
come out from hiding for a gun battle.
He noted that the Special Adviser to the Caretaker Chairman of ONELGA
on Sports and Youths Affairs, Mr. Smart Igwe, was among those that
sustained bullet wounds.
The source said that the gunmen stormed Dan Street in Omoku, killed
four people and abducted two persons before moving to Obigwe community
where they shot three persons at about 1am.
Michael added that the cultists returned on Thursday around 6am and
operated till 9am and killed four more persons without any challenge.
He also disclosed that several innocent persons were gunned down,
including an aged woman whose name could not be ascertained as of the
time of filing this report.
Reacting, the CTC chairman of ONELGA, Mr. Isaac Umejuru, described the
renewed attack in Omoku as regrettable.
Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Obed Douglas, Umejuru,
explained that the cultists were enemies of ONELGA, adding that they
were bent on scuttling his peace efforts in the area.
The LG boss, however, called on the youths in the state to shun
violence and other vices, adding that peace was needed in the state.
He said, "The attack is regrettable. The hoodlums are enemies of the
community who are bent on scuttling my peace efforts. I call on our
youths to shun violence, cultism and other social ills that will
destroy the relative peace in the state."
The Rivers State Police Command confirmed the incident, describing it
as a cult clash.
The Public Relations Officer of the Command, Mr. Ahmad Muhammad, noted
that three suspected cultists were killed in the clash.
"The scenario appears to be a cult clash, leaving three suspected
cultists dead," Muhammad stressed.