Suspected cultists kill four in Rivers community

Gunmen suspected to be members of the Iceland cult group invaded the Edeoha community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, killing four residents in the early hours of Sunday, October 20, 2024.

The attackers, armed with sophisticated weapons and assault rifles, stormed the community at about 2 a.m., shooting sporadically and searching for their targets from house to house.

Community sources revealed that three of the victims were natives of Edeoha, while the fourth victim was from the Ekata community, also in Ahoada East LGA, but resided in Edeoha.

A native of the community, who pleaded anonymity, said the victims were not cult members.

However, it’s believed that the attack was orchestrated by cultists possibly hired by individuals with ulterior motives to eliminate the four residents.

Intelligence sources disclosed that the suspected Iceland cult members who carried out the killing came from a camp in a neighbouring community (name withheld) to carry out the overnight attack at Edeoha.

The attack sent panic waves through the community, with residents fleeing for safety. “It was like a war zone,” a community member described. “The gunmen were shooting everywhere, and people were running for their lives.”

The Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident to our reporter. “Yes, I can confirm the incident. It’s cult-related,” SP Koko said.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Mustapha, has instructed the Ahoada Area Commander and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) to commence an investigation into the incident to apprehend the perpetrators and make them face justice.