At least two persons have been killed and another critically injured following a violent clash between rival cult groups in Rivers State.
The incident, which reportedly started on Sunday and spilled into Monday, occurred in the Unyengala and Ngo communities of Andoni Local Government Area. The violence was said to have been triggered by a struggle for supremacy and territorial control between the opposing groups.
Residents described the situation as chaotic, with sporadic gunshots sending people fleeing from their homes in fear.
“It started on Sunday evening when we heard gunshots in Ngo and Unyengala. People were running to save their lives. It was later that we learnt that two persons had been shot dead,” a resident said.
Confirming the development, the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said security operatives had been deployed to the affected communities to restore order.
“Yes, I can confirm the incident. Two people were killed, while another person was critically injured. The incident is linked to a supremacy battle between two rival cult groups in the area,” she stated.
The police spokesperson added that security presence in the area has been reinforced, while investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest those responsible for the violence. Residents have continued to express fear and are calling for sustained security measures to prevent further clashes.
