Four killed in Delta cult clash

By Chuks Peter, DELTA

Four person has lost their lives in a clash between two rival cult group in separate incidents in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

Its was gathered that the clash reportedly claimed four individuals, all stemming from a dispute over debt collection.

According to an undisclosed source, the victims, who have yet to be identified, were affiliated with the Aye and Bagger confraternities, respectively.

“The conflict escalated when one of the victims allegedly sold drugs to a member of the rival cult without receiving payment, sparking tensions.

“The dispute intensified when the victim attempted to recover the owed money from the debtor, who belonged to a rival cult group. This initial confrontation led to a violent altercation where the victim was severely assaulted.

“In retaliation, the victim later attacked the debtor with a weapon in a separate encounter, triggering further violence between the two groups. The clashes, which began last Thursday, culminated in fatal incidents over the weekend.

“Two individuals lost their lives in the Okogbe area of Otovwodo, while the other two fatalities occurred near Iwhreko and Ogor Park on Sunday morning. These tragic events underscore the ongoing strife and volatility caused by cult activities in the region”.

Meanwhile, efforts to get comment from the police authority was not successful., as the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer SP Edafe Bright could not be reached at the time of filling this report.

However, a senior security official from the state police command, speaking on condition of anonymity, “confirmed the deaths”. 

The official also mentioned that “efforts are underway, including engagement with cult leaders, to mitigate tensions and restore calm in the affected areas.

“The community remains on edge as authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the need for sustained efforts to curb cult-related violence and ensure the safety of residents”. Source added.