Renewed Cult Clash Claims 10 Lives in Rivers State, Sparks Panic Among Residents

A violent clash between rival cult groups has claimed no fewer than 10 lives in Obelle Community, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The latest outbreak of violence occurred on Sunday, February 9, 2025, just days after suspected cultists invaded the community, killing seven people. The renewed fighting has caused widespread panic, forcing many residents to flee for safety.

Sources told Punch that the conflict is a battle for supremacy between two notorious cult groups, Deybam and Icelanders, who resumed hostilities after over two years of uneasy calm.

It was gathered that after Wednesday’s attack, where members of one group were killed, their allies launched a retaliatory assault on Sunday, targeting the relatives of their rivals.

A community member, identified as Kingsley, revealed that innocent residents were caught in the crossfire.

“On Sunday, cultists clashed in our community. Many people have been killed, including innocent residents. The shooting was too intense, and people started fleeing. About 19 people have died,” he said.

“In the morning, some cultists came out and started shooting, attacking the relatives of those they believed were members of the gang that killed their colleagues on Wednesday. Not long after, the rival group responded, and both sides engaged in a fierce gun battle. Members of both groups died in the process.

“We are calling on the government to come to our aid. These cult groups are tearing our community apart. We need the police and the army to step in and stop this madness.”

The spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, attributing the clash to a dispute over levies from an oil company operating in the area.

“It is a cult clash between loyalists of Naked Wire and Carol. They are fighting over control of levies from an oil company. About ten confirmed dead. No arrests yet, but an investigation is ongoing,” the PPRO stated.