The environs of Abarikpo community, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State went on a chaotic state as three suspected cults got killed in a gun battle between gang members in the early hours of Thursday December 15,2022.
Narrating the cause of the clash, a community source who pleaded anonymity told TRNews reporter that members of a particular cult group had invaded the community at about 2am in search of their unit leader, one James Bright, aka Borokiri, who was said to have converted the arms and ammunition of the group to his personal use.
The unit leader of the group, it was gathered, engaged the invading faction in a gun battle which resulted to the death of two of the invaders.
The residents of the community for the fear of being hit by stray bullets were forced to remain inside their houses till daybreak.
Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police command, SP Grace Iringe Koko who confirmed and stated that if not for the timely intervention of the Police the shootings would have escalated beyond what they met on ground.
SP Koko said the Police on getting the information trailed,James Bright, to his hideout, but on sighting the Police, he opened fire and in the exchange of gunfire that ensued, he was shot dead.
She further disclosed that normalcy has returned to the area as a detachment of Police has been stationed there.
As an added measure to ensure the community is safe, SP Koko noted added that the Command has intensified patrol of the area while investigation has commenced with a view to arresting other fleeing members of the cult gang.
