One dead in Easter day cult clash in Rivers

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By Davies Iheamnachor, PORT HARCOURT

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One person has been confirmed dead in a cult clash that ensued on Easter Sunday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

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The incident that led to the death of the victim, whose name has not been ascertained, happened at Abakiliki Street, Mile 1 Diobu Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.

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It was gathered that the clash was between two factions of the Deygbam Cult group in the area, Doggies and White Eagle HOUSES, over territorial control.

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It was gathered that the development had sparked panic in the area during the Easter celebration.

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The state had recorded reports of intracultrual clashes between BS and D12 houses of Deybam cult groups in the last two years.

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Confirming the development, the Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, Chief Superintendent of Police, said it was an intra-cult war.

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Iringe-Koko said: “Yes, I can confirm the incident.” It is linked to an intracultrual clash between members of a particular cult group in Diobu.

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“The Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, has ordered a manhunt for the perpetrators with a view to bringing them to justice. “Security has been reinforced in the area as the investigation continues.”

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However, a source privy to the development said there have been minor clashes between the two factions but said it escalated on Easter Sunday, leading to the killing.

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The source said the victim was shot dead by his assailants, who drove in a vehicle after leaving the shop where he had gone to buy bread.

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