Pascal Arogorn Ibe
ABOUT six persons have been reportedly killed in a clash between two suspected cult groups , the Iron and the Skin confraternity at Mbiabong Ikot Essien village, in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State last Saturday.
Newsmen gathered that the six persons who were members of the cult groups allegedly died during their clash.
The village head of Mbiabong Ikot Essien, Eteidung Hosea Okon, who spoke to newsmen in the area, said the suspected cultists numbering over one hundred even invaded his residence and vandalized his properties.
Okon who wondered why some youths could prefer to engage in activities that would not make positive impact on their lives, urged the perpetrators to turn a new leaf.
Narrating his own experience he said, “As I was lying down in front of my house last night, half asleep, the voice of my second son woke me up because I heard him shouting, mummy mummy, go inside. My wife ran inside the house leaving her phone outside. Then I saw a group of boys, some with machetes.
” I managed to go inside the house so that they will not harm me, but they started destroying my windows, doors may be to gain entry. But one person from their group told them to stop and that was how they stopped vandalizing my property.
“They were still chanting, boys are hungry, boys are hungry. That same night they also entered other homes. And as soon as the owners ran away, they would loot whatever they saw there. I called the police at Shelter Afrique that night and informed them about the incident. Also this morning I went there to make an official entry.
“I don’t know what some boys are turning into.
I learnt this morning that six of their people died. One of them I learnt died this morning at the hospital. He was cut with machete and he bled to death this morning”
Reacting, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Odiko Macdon, said he was yet to be briefed on the incident and assured that the commissioner of police, Mr Andrew Amiengheme was committed and determined to clampdown on all cult activities in the State.
“I am yet to be briefed on the killing. Immediately I receive information on the incident, I will inform you”, MacDon simply said.
5 Killed in Ekiti
The Ekiti State Police Command yesterday confirmed the killing of five persons in Ikere Ekiti during a rival cult clash in the town.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ekiti command, ASP Sunday Abutu, said three persons had been arrested in connection with the mayhem.
Abutu further said law and order had been restored by the command, adding that security had been beefed up in the area.
Daily Trust gathered that the crisis started Saturday night when one cult group member was killed near the city hall at Odo Oja area.
The cult member was said to have come from Port Harcourt on Friday to attend a friend’s wedding before he was killed by a rival cult group.
The killing later reportedly snowballed into bloodletting with suspected cultists shooting in different directions in the community, leaving at least five cult members dead yesterday.
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