Tags: cult violence, crime, security, Rivers State, Nigeria
In a distressing incident, gunmen believed to be members of the Iceland cult group have ruthlessly taken the lives of five individuals in the Odiemerenyi community located within the Ahoada East Local Council of Rivers State. The assailants, allegedly loyal to the wanted David Gift, known as 2Baba and a prime suspect in the murder of Superintendent of Police Bako Angbashim, the former Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada Police Division, launched their assault on the community during the early hours of Sunday morning.
According to an anonymous resident, the suspected cultists infiltrated the community at approximately 1:00 a.m., where they mercilessly killed two of the resident’s brothers, alongside another individual in the same compound. The resident further disclosed that a total of five individuals lost their lives during the attack. The culprits, after the gruesome act, made it known to the community that they would cease their killings only if the Nigeria Police released their sponsors, sympathizers, and certain chiefs in police custody. The victims have been identified as Charles Osu, Ogbobula Ejee, Eeje Idaowukwo, and two others.
Expressing great concern, the community has urgently appealed to the Rivers State government and security agencies to intensify efforts in apprehending the wanted cultists, as the prevailing atmosphere of fear has engulfed the entire populace. Another resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, revealed that the cultists also accused the deceased individuals of acting as informants for the police.
“We are weary of these recurring incidents and beseech the government to assist us in putting a stop to these killings. The culprits have declared their intent to persist with the killings until all those in custody are released. Without government intervention, our community will continue to suffer greatly, with each family enduring immeasurable pain.”
In an unverified report, it has been suggested that two of the criminals were neutralized during a gun battle with the Ahoada Police Division, which swiftly responded to a distress call from the community. When contacted, Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, assured that she would furnish full details but has yet to do so at the time of this press release.