Five die in fresh gang war in Rivers

• Police arrest seven suspects
Two rival gangs terrorising communities in Emohua Local Council of Rivers State, Deygbam and the Icelander clashed at the weekend during a battle for supremacy in the area, killing at least, five persons suspected to be cult members.

In a swift reaction, the Rivers State police command has said more than seven persons have been arrested in connection with the cult war that claimed five lives in Omudioga community of Emohua.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, Nnamdi Omoni, while confirming the incident, said the suspects were arrested during the police raid of cultists’ hideouts in the community.

Omoni noted that the police team had visited the community during the incident to restore peace and that normalcy has so far returned to the area.

A source in the community, who preferred anonymity, said the shooting lasted for over six hours without interruption. According to him, Deygbam cult members invaded the community and killed three suspected members of Icelander.

The source added that out of the five persons killed, one was beheaded and his head taken away by the bandits.

It was learnt that some residents of the area fled due to the heavy shootout to avoid being caught in the crossfire. Omudioga community youth president, Mr. Chinyere Amadi, confirmed to The Guardian that residents were yet to return fully after the shooting incident, which shattered the peace in the community at the weekend.

According to Amadi, two of the deceased were identified as Ezeka Nwadike and Prince Omata.