Deadly cult clash in Rivers: Police officer killed

A violent reprisal attack in Ahoada-East, Rivers State, has left a police officer dead and eight suspects in custody.

The deadly incident began when the OSPAC local security outfit ambushed suspected Iceland cult members heading to Oshika community.

This ambush occurred in Ahoada-West, creating an immediate confrontation between the groups involved.

During the ambush, OSPAC forces killed one cultist and captured another, who was detained at their office.

This action escalated tensions significantly, as the situation quickly drew attention from both local residents and law enforcement.

Subsequently, armed men led by Umegbewe Kingsley, known as “Gutam,” retaliated fiercely against OSPAC.

These assailants stormed the OSPAC office, firing indiscriminately and triggering a chaotic gun battle between the two factions.

As violence erupted, the chaos quickly spiraled out of control, leaving the entire community on edge.

Residents feared for their safety as the gunfire echoed through the streets, amplifying anxiety among the locals.

Tragically, Corporal Francis Friday, a police officer on special duty at the LGA Secretariat, was struck by a stray bullet.

Despite immediate medical attention, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after the attack, shocking the local law enforcement community.

Following the incident, security forces responded swiftly, arresting six OSPAC members along with two suspected cultists.

Authorities believed these individuals played significant roles in the violence, intensifying efforts to restore order in the community.

Authorities moved quickly to secure the area, preventing further escalation and restoring a semblance of order amid rising tensions.

Senior security officials, including high-ranking commanders, visited the crime scene for an urgent on-the-spot assessment.

They ordered a comprehensive investigation into the attack, vowing to uncover the full extent of cult-related activities and bring all perpetrators to justice.

Their presence reassured residents that the government is taking the crisis seriously.

Meanwhile, the incident has reignited concerns about the ongoing clashes between local security outfits and notorious cult groups in Rivers State.

Many residents now fear renewed violence, as the cycle of reprisal attacks threatens to destabilize the region further and undermine public safety.

Authorities have reiterated their unwavering commitment to restoring peace and security in the affected communities.

They promised to intensify efforts to dismantle cult networks and prosecute those responsible for the bloodshed.

As investigations continue, the people of Rivers State anxiously await justice and a return to lasting peace.