Cult War Claims 14 in Ogoni

Fourteen persons were shot dead and several others injured in Sime, Tai Local Government Area of Ogoniland, Rivers State, as cult gangs clash early today.

According to a report in P.M. News, Bob Uelor Nkue, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Tai Local Government, confirmed the killings. He regretted the incident, which is coming barely a month after Governor Nyesom Wike extended a second round of amnesty programme to the four local government areas for members of various cult groups to renounce their membership​ and surrender their weapons.

Nkue asked the Sime community not to panic as adequate security has been put in place to forestall further clash and ensure protection of lives and property in the area.

Investigations also revealed that many residents fled their homes to escape the shootings.

Nkue said, “I totally condemn this attack that led to the death of 14 persons, because the governor has given a second chance to cultists and criminals in Ogoniland to embrace the amnesty programme.

Few days ago, two persons were also killed by cult gangs. I am using this opportunity to call on the people of Sime not to panic as the police and other security agencies are on top of the situation.”

Ogoniland, like many parts of Rivers state, in recent times, has been a hotbed of cult gang fights.

In the first round of the Rivers State government amnesty programme, most of the criminal gangs refused to surrender their weapons. A second chance was extended to them but the number of weapons surrendered​ were small compared with the dangerous weapons suspected to be in hands of gangs in the area.

The state police command is yet to comment on the incident as at the time of filing this report.