6 beheaded as 15 die in Rivers cult war [Graphic Photos]

SUSPECTED cultists have killed 15 people and be­headed six of them in Omoku, the headquarters of Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni Local Govern­ment Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State.

The killings came barely 24 hours after gunmen, last­Thursday, assassinated a former member of the State House of Assembly, who represented Ogba/Egbema Ndoni Constituency, Monday Eleanya.

Sunday Sun gathered that the assailants, numbering over 50 and armed with dan­gerous weapons, including AK-47 rifles and machetes, came into the crisis-ridden community about 7:00pm and began shooting sporadi­cally.

It was further gathered that while some natives of the area ran to nearby bushes and neighbouring villages, others stayed indoors several hours after the incident occurred.

It was gathered that some of the gunmen marched from house to house and scared residents with their intermit­tent, deafening gunshots, add­ing that the assailants behead­ed some of the 15 persons that were killed.

The source disclosed that among those killed were a couple and two brothers of same parents, saying that some of the areas in Omoku that came under attack by the gunmen were Sabo Road, Odieti Quarters, Usoniri Quarters and Obakata Quar­ters.

He said: “Gunmen last night took over Omoku, kill­ing not less than 15 persons. Among those killed were a husband and wife, as well as two brothers from the same parents.

“It started about 7pm on Friday, when we heard sus­tained gunshots. We were told that some gunmen num­bering up to 50 came into Omoku town and began to shoot indiscriminately.

“Those outside ran for dear life and we that were inside have continued to stay in­doors in order not to be hit by the gunmen’s bullets. It was a terrible situation.”

The state Police Public Re­lations Officer (PPRO), Ah­mad Muhammad, confirmed the incident to journalists, saying six persons, who were members of a cult group were killed.

Muhammad stated that the incident was a battle of su­premacy between rival cult groups in the town, adding that the police had brought the situation under control.

He said: “The incident is reasonably believed to be a battle of supremacy between rival cult groups in the town. As it is now, the situation is under control as anti-riot po­licemen were drafted to rein­force the existing security in the town. As for casualties, six dead bodies of the suspected cultists were recovered.”

In September last year, at least 15 persons were killed when gunmen suspected to be cultists raided Omoku community, including those who had denounced cultism.

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