Two policemen, five others killed in Rivers cult clashes

Friday Amobi, Port Harcourt

Two policemen and five other persons have been feared killed in fresh cult clashes that erupted on Sunday in Rumuji and Ovogo communities in the Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.

It was learnt that two cult groups, the Icelanders and the Greenlanders, which had been tormenting the state, continued their battle for the supremacy in the areas.

The PUNCH gathered that one of the cult groups had, earlier on Sunday, allegedly invaded Rumuji Police Station and shot dead the two officers that were duty.

A source, who identified himself as Michael, hinted that after the bandits gunned down the two policemen, they started indiscriminately.

Michael alleged that the cult boys broke into some houses in Rumuji and Ovogo communities, shooting and killing their victims.

He stated that the Greenlanders, who reside in the area, on getting of the rivals’ invasion of their community, mobilised and engaged the invading cult members in a shootout.

He said the cultists also set ablaze several buildings suspected to be owned by members of a rival cult group or their parents.

It was learnt that security operatives, who later arrived in the community, succeeded in dislodging the hoodlums and brought the situation under control.

A senior police officer at the Rumuji Divisional Headquarters told our correspondent on Monday that the hoodlums opened fire on the officers, who were on duty.

When contacted, the new Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, Mr. Omoni Nnamdi, said he had yet to be briefed on the incident.

Nnamdi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, told our correspondent on Monday that he just resumed duty in the command, adding that proper handing over had not been conducted.

“I just resumed duty today and I have not been briefed on anything because I just resumed today. I just entered office and no official handover has been done. If am briefed, I will communicate to you,” he said.

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