Deadly cult clash in Rivers leaves one dead, several injured

Tension gripped Port Harcourt on Wednesday night of June 4, as gunmen believed to be Deygbam cult members killed a vigilante officer and left a young lady critically injured.

The brutal incident occurred around 9pm on Echue Street, Mile 2 Diobu, in the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The assailants reportedly ambushed and murdered a local vigilante identified only as Sango as he walked home.

Eyewitnesses said the cultists opened fire without warning. Sango died instantly, and his body was left lying in the street.

The assailants vanished immediately after the assassination, prompting swift retaliation from other members of the vigilante group.

Upon receiving word of the attack, heavily armed vigilantes stormed Echue Street, engaging the cultists in a fierce gun duel.

In the course of the gun battle, a stray bullet struck a young lady who was passing nearby. Her identity remains unknown at press time.

Maxwell, a resident who witnessed the violence, told dailypost:

“The bad boys ambushed Sango and shot him dead just like that. The vigilantes rushed in and opened fire.

A young lady was hit by a stray bullet. She was bleeding badly. The cult boys ran when the shooting got serious.”

Shops closed, residents ran for cover. Parents screamed as gunshots rang through the air.

The gunfight lasted several minutes before the cultists fled, chased by vigilantes.

Police authorities confirmed the incident on Thursday morning of June 5, 2025.

Spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed it was a cult-related killing.

She said the Commissioner of Police, CP Adepoju Adewole, had deployed tactical squads to restore peace.

Iringe-Koko stated:

“Yes, it was a cult clash. The CP has ordered full deployment of tactical units.

Investigations have begun, and we will arrest everyone involved.”

She assured that normalcy had returned but urged residents to remain calm and provide useful information.

The latest attack comes just four days after suspected cultists shot and killed a taxi driver, identified as Barnabas, at the same location.

The escalating violence has thrown Mile 2 Diobu into fear, with residents calling for increased police patrols and round-the-clock security surveillance.

Youth groups and community leaders have urged the Rivers State Government to declare a security emergency in Diobu.

A local youth leader who spoke anonymously said:

“If something is not done fast, this may turn into full-scale war. These boys are fearless.”

Authorities are now on high alert as fears of reprisal attacks loom over the tense neighborhood.

More updates to follow as police investigations continue.

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