Renewed Cult Clash Claims Life in Port Harcourt, Police Launch Manhunt
Tension gripped residents of Diobu in Port Harcourt on Easter Sunday following the fatal shooting of a yet-to-be-identified young man, an incident that the Rivers State Police Command has attributed to an ongoing intra-cult rivalry. The tragic death occurred along Abakaliki Street in the Mile 1 axis of Diobu, a densely populated neighbourhood, where the sound of gunshots caused widespread panic, forcing residents and passersby to flee for safety.
Police Confirmation and Response
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed that the killing was directly connected to a violent clash between rival cult factions operating within the area. "Yes, I can confirm the incident. It is linked to an intra-cult clash between members of a particular cult group in Diobu," she stated. She further revealed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, had directed an intensive manhunt for those responsible, assuring residents that efforts are under way to restore calm and ensure justice. "The Commissioner of Police has ordered a manhunt for the perpetrators with a view to bringing them to justice. Security has been reinforced in the area as investigations continue," Iringe-Koko added.
Background and Details of the Clash
Meanwhile, it was gathered that the violence stemmed from a long-standing rivalry between factions identified as the "Doggies" and "White Eagles," both reportedly linked to the notorious Deybam cult group. The clash is believed to have been fuelled by a struggle for territorial dominance in the Diobu axis. A source familiar with the incident disclosed that tensions between the two groups had been building but escalated dramatically on Easter Sunday. The immediate trigger, according to the source, was a dispute involving a young woman allegedly connected to members of the rival factions.
The victim, whose identity remains unknown at the time of this report, was reportedly shot at close range by gunmen who arrived in a vehicle. Eyewitnesses said he had just stepped out to purchase bread from a nearby store when he was attacked. The brazen nature of the death sparked chaos in the area, with many residents abandoning their activities and seeking refuge indoors.
Pattern of Violence and Community Concerns
The latest killing underscores a disturbing pattern of cult-related violence in Rivers State. Security agencies have, in recent years, repeatedly confirmed deadly clashes involving factions, such as the BS and D12 "houses" of the Deybam confraternity, particularly in Diobu and surrounding communities. Operatives from the Mile 1 Police Division were said to have arrived at the scene shortly after the assailants fled, recovering the victim's body and initiating preliminary investigations.
Authorities have urged members of the public to remain calm and provide useful information that could aid ongoing investigations. As security presence increases across Diobu, many residents are calling for sustained intervention to curb cultism and prevent further loss of lives in the state.
