A clash between two rival cults on Gambia Street, Mile One, Diobu, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, on Saturday, has claimed two lives, including that of an ex-convict.
An eyewitness identified the cults as the Beach Deck of Iceland and Castro House of Degbam.
The eyewitness said the Degbam cult, led by a former member of the rival gang, ambushed the Iceland leader, Precious Adiele.
The source told The Punch that the hoodlums inflicted several machete cuts on Adiele, leading to his death.
He said: “The Degbam members after hacking their first target to death stormed a building where another member of Bar Beach Iceland cult is believed to be residing.
“When they searched the compound and found out that he (target) was not at home, they set the building on fire.”
He disclosed that an elderly man, who was trapped in the building, was burnt to death.
It was gathered that residents scampered to safety during the attack.
The miscreants were said to have disappeared before the arrival of the police.
There was palpable tension by the residents over fear of reprisal and counter-attacks by any of the rival cults.
The spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed Adiele’s death, adding that the deceased recently returned from a custodial centre.
Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, in a text message said: “The man killed is one Precious Adiele, aged 26.
“He was a member of Iceland and a notorious armed robber who had been involved in a series of robbery cases and just returned from the custodial centre.
“The scene has been visited. The Commissioner of Police has deployed tactical teams to ensure no further breakdown of law and order.
“The CP also ordered the arrest of other members of the cults. Meanwhile, investigation is ongoing.”
