Market sources at Rail axis of Mile 1, Diobu have attributed the clash between suspected Deygbam and Icelanders cult to ‘matching ground’ levy.
Some of the traders who spoke under condition of anonymity disclosed that members of the cult groups who engage in collecting the illegal fee clashed over who will take charge of the fee.
The source explained that the incident led to confrontation between the two groups which resulted a shoot out which claimed four lives last week Thursday in the area.
A member of diobu vigilante group who was at the Diobu Divisional Police headquarters Mile 1 told our reporter that four corpses were evacuated to the mortuary.
The spokesperson of Rivers State Police command, SP Nnamdi Omoni who confirmed the incident said “I confirm that there was a gang clash between two rival cult groups where it was reported that unknown gunmen were shooting sporadically at the Railway axis of Diobu.
On the receipt of the distress, Operatives of the Diobu Division mobilized massively to the scene but unfortunately on arrival, the cultists had taken to flight. They however were able to arrest one of them alive, while three lifeless bodies were at the scene with multiple gunshot wounds on their bodies.
“The bodies were confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital and were deposited in the mortuary.
“The suspect arrested, one Ejike Paul, ‘m’, 36yrs is cooling his heels and helping in Investigation.
“Meanwhile the Area is calm and close monitoring is on, with an increased Patrol of the area and the entire Metropolis.
“The public is enjoined to go about their lawful activities without fear of molestation, as the Commissioner of Police, CP Eboka Friday has vowed to deal decisively with all criminal elements in the state, while appealing for credible information from the public”.
