Armed cultists overrun Rivers communities

This is not the best of time for communities of Rivers State such as those residing in Khana, Gokana, Obio Akpor and Emouha Local Government Areas of the State as cultists on a rival battle of supremancy have unleashed unprecedented reign of terror to residents where scores of lives were lost.

Shortly after the conclusion of collation of the governorship election results where Governor Nyesom Wike emerged winner no fewer than eight persons lost their lives in a suspected rival cult attack in Rumuelumeni , Obio Akpor Local Government Areas.

The Chairman of Rumuelumeni Community Development Committee, Sunny Odum told a radio station in Port Harcourt that rival cult groups had engaged themselves in a gun battle in the early hours of Sunday.

He said that one of the rival cult group had invaded the homes of other group where they shot and killed about eight persons.

Less than 48 hours after the incident another 12 persons reportedly lost their lives in a cult related clash in two different communities of Rivers State that same week.

Five persons were said to have been killed in a renewed cult clash at Rumuche and Rumuohia Communities of Emohua Local Government Area while seven persons were killed in Kaani Babbe, Khana Local Government Area.

It was gathered that a 64-year old man was among the persons who lost their lives during the clash at Emohua.

A resident of Emuoha , Solomon Erim, who confirmed the incident, alleged that trouble started, weekend, when a rival cultist who had gone for a burial programme in the area was attacked sparking a reprisal attack.

Rival cult gangs have continued to kill and maim innocent persons in the Khana axis of Ogoni land. A community sources disclosed to our reporter that not less than 60 persons have been killed by cultists in less than one month in the area.

The National President of Ogoni Youth Federation, Legbosi Yebana threatened last week to lead a protest to Government House Port Harcourt in protest against incessant killings in the area.

Also the Rumuji/Elele/Owerri road part of the State have been taken over by kidnappers and armed bandits who take their victims hostage and demand huge ransom from the their relations.