Cult Groups Clash In Asaba As Police Confirms Four Persons Killed

No fewer than four persons have been reportedly killed as two rival cult groups clashed in Asaba, the Delta state capital.

BIGPEN ONLUNE gathered that the killings took place between Tuesday, May 7 and Wednesday, May 8, at different locations within the Asaba metropolics.

The State Police Command, in a statement by its spokesperson, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya while confirming the incidents said that three persons however have been arrested in connection with the incidents.

Accordung to her, on the 7/5/2019, a shooting incident was reported at Cable area of Asaba as a result of the face-off between tworival cult groups – the Aiye confraternity and Vikings.

“The Police patrol team on arrival at the scene found a young man already shot on the right eye lying in a pool of his own blood, he was quickly convened to Federal Medical CentreAsaba for medical attention but died while receiving treatment on 8/5/2019.

“Also, on same date, a corpse was found on the ground with knife stab on the left rib, some metres away from scene of earlier shooting and has been deposited at FMC, Mortuary.

“The deceased was later identified as Chijine Chigbata male, 54yrs old, a security guard with a private firm in Asaba.

Continuing, she said, “On 8/5/2019, the continued face-off between the two rival cults, claimed two more lives of suspected cult members.

“The victims, one Jude Nwakama (male) and Okwudili Ozah (male) aged 26yrs were attacked with battle axe and knife at different locations in Akuofu and Oduke area of Asaba”.

Speaking on efforts of the police to arrest the situation, the police image maker said one Samuel Okwuonyekwu, ‘a confessed member of Aiye confraternity’ and two others have been arrested by SARS Operatives in connection with the crises.

She said one locally made double barrel short gun was recovered from one of the arrested suspects.

Investigation is still on-going tocrackdown on other fleeing suspects, she said adding that the police have intensified patrol and surveillance within the metropolics to forestall further attacks.

She said that State Commissioner of Police,  Adeyinka Adeleke, has warned that there is no safe haven for criminals in the State, saying “it is either they quit crime or relocate from the State”.

While assuring members of the public of his commitment to their safety and security at all times, the Police Public Relation Officer said in his effort to nib violence crimes in the bud, the CP had held various meetings with stakeholders, especially, the volunteer anti-cult groups, vigilante groups, strengthened the conventional stop and search, create tactical operation point and aggressive patrol, all these have yielded positive results, she added.