At least 10 people were confirmed dead following a renewed cult clash that erupted on Sunday morning in Obelle community, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State. The violent confrontation has thrown the community into chaos, forcing many residents to flee for safety.
The latest outbreak of violence comes just days after unidentified gunmen, suspected to be members of a cult group, invaded the community last Wednesday and killed seven people. While residents were still mourning that attack, rival cult factions resumed hostilities on Sunday in a deadly battle for supremacy.
According to sources, the clash involved the Naked Wire and Carol cult groups, marking an end to a two-year ceasefire between them. It was gathered that after Wednesday’s killings, the group that lost its members retaliated by targeting relatives of those suspected to be involved in the earlier attack. This provoked a counterattack, escalating into an all-out gun battle.
A resident, identified simply as Kingsley, described the scene as terrifying. “On Sunday, cultists clashed in our community. Many people have been killed, including innocent residents. The shooting was intense, and people started fleeing. About 19 people may have died in total,” he said.
As tensions remain high, security agencies are expected to intervene to restore order in the troubled community.
