17th December, 2022
Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Three suspected cultists were killed in a gun duel between members of the gangs in Abarikpo community, Ahoada East Local Government Area in the wee hours of Thursday December 15,2022.
A community source told our 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.
But it was gathered that the unit leader of the group engaged the invading faction in a gun battle which resulted to the death of two of the invaders .
Sources explained that residents of the are were trapped in their houses to avoid being hit by stray bullets until daybreak.
The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police command, SP Grace Iringe Koko confirmed the incident.
She stated that for the timely intervention of the Police the shootings would have escalated.
SP Koko said the Police on getting the information trailed,James Bright, to his hideout.
But she said on sighting the Police, he opened fire and in the exchange of gunfire that ensued, he was shot dead.
SP Koko further disclosed that normalcy has returned to the area as a detachment of Police has been stationed there.
She added that the Command has also intensified patrol of the area while investigation has commenced with a view to arresting other fleeing members of the cult gang.