10 killed as 2 cult groups clash over control of oil company levies in Rivers community

Monday, February 10, 2025 - A renewed clash between rival cult groups have claimed no fewer than 10 lives in Obelle Community, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State. 

The latest clash occurred on Sunday, February 9, 2025  a few days after unidentified gunmen, suspected to be cultists, invaded the community, k!lling seven people.

 The violent clash has caused panic, forcing many residents to flee the community for safety.

Sources told Punch that the renewed violence 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 following Wednesday’s attack, where members of one group were k!lled, their allies launched a retaliatory attack on Sunday, targeting the relatives of their rivals.

A source in the community, who identified himself simply as Kingsley, said innocent residents were among those k!lled in the clash.

“On Sunday, cultists clashed in our community. Many people have been k!lled, including innocent residents. The shooting was too intense, and people started fleeing the community. About 19 people have been k!lled,” 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 k!lled their colleagues on Wednesday. Not long after, the rival group came out, 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."

Spokesman of the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the incident, saying the clash was linked to levies from an oil company in the area.

“It is a cult clash between loyalists of Naked Wire and Carol. They are fighting over the control of levies from an oil company operating in the area. About ten confirmed d3ad. No arrest yet, but investigation is ongoing,” the PPRO said.