Six persons have been killed in Ibaa community of Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State by suspected cultists.
The gunmen suspected to be members of Greenlanders cult had invaded the community on Sunday following a clash for supremacy in the area.
A reliable source told our correspondent that the attack was reprisal against rival cult, the Icelanders and that those killed were members of Icelanders.
Prince Nyenke, Dirinna, Kpomasiruchi, ThankGod were among the six people that were killed, the source said.
The source, who spoke anonymously, said the invaders operated freely in the community without interruption.
It was gathered that the police post situated in the community had been closed since the shootout on Sunday night.
Another source, who identified himself as Mr. Okachi, said at Rumuji community, where the displaced people of Ibaa were clustered, the killers were moving from house to house in search of members of the Icelanders.
He said that the people of the community were now stranded without food or shelter in other communities.
“Around 11pm on Sunday was when we started hearing gunshots. We thought it was the Icelanders that have their camp in the community.
“The shooting continued till this morning. Even the Greenlanders said they are not going out until the Icelanders were cleared for there to be total peace in the community.
The Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, Mr. Ahmad Muhammad, confirmed the incident, but said it was a cult clash for supremacy.
Muhammad said that three casualties were recorded, adding that normalcy had been restored as a result of a swift response by the police.
“It was a supremacy clash between Degbam and Icelander cult groups, which left three fatal casualties. Normalcy has since been restored due to police intervention,” he said.
The Caretaker Chairman of Emohua LGA, Mr. John Wokoma, described the development that led to the sacking of the community as pathetic.
Wokoma, who spoke while addressing Ibaa people at Rumuji junction, enjoined them to go back to their house.
The LG chair promised that the council would ensure adequate security for the people if they could return home.
