Cult Clashes In Rivers Community Leave 19 People Dead

A renewed rivalry between between the Debam and Icelanders cult groups in Obelley Community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State has left about 20 people dead.
The clashes, which took place on Sunday forced residents to flee to neighbouring communities for safety.
Obelle, which was deserted for a very long time because of similar rivalry between cult gangs had begun to stabilize with people coming back in the last two years.
But so also did the cultists, who renewed their rivalries. Last Wednesday a clash left seven people dead.
The community was still mourning when Debam and Icelanders resumed their battle for supremacy.
Sources said Sunday’s mayhem targeted family members of rival cult groups, many of them innocent.
A community source said, “On Sunday morning, some cultists came out and started shooting. They were attacking the relatives of the people they claimed were members of the gang that killed their own. It didn’t take long before the rival group appeared and started shooting. Members of both groups were killed in the crossfire.
“We are calling on the government to come to our aid. These cults are trying to tear our community apart. We want the police and the army to help us,” a community source who pleased to be anonymous said.
Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the report, and said the details of the situation in Obelley would be made public subsequently.