by Isi Esene

Three people have been shot dead in a clash between two cult groups, Degban and Dewell gangs in Omuawa community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The supremacy battle which started on Sunday saw the men of the state Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) arresting five suspects.

John Nnana, a resident of the area who spoke to the press said, “It was bloody. The fight was started at about 6:30pm by members of Degban cult said to be avenging the death of their members killed in earlier battle with the Dewell cult in a neighbouring community not long ago.”

According to Nnana, innocent residents caught in the fierce shooting also sustained various degrees of gunshots injury as most people escaped to neighbouring communities for safety.

Welendu Obilor, member of the local vigilance group in the area reportedly said: “SARS intervention resulted in the arrest of five suspected cultists. We are calling on the police to concentrate investigation in the locality and see to the arrest of the kingpins to forestall further insecurity of lives and property of the innocent in our community.”