Three suspected Rivers cultists die in gun duel

Three members of a cult group, Icelander, including a gang leader, have lost their lives during a gun battle in Abarikpo community in the Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.

City Round gathered that members of the group invaded the community at about 2am on Thursday in search of their unit leader, Bright Ejike, popularly known as ‘Borokiri,’ who they claimed converted the group arms and ammunition to personnel use.

A source who spoke on condition of anonymity told our correspondent that on sighting them, Borokiri and some of his loyalists engaged themselves in a gun battle resulting in the death of three. The source explained that residents remained indoors till the gunfire exchanges ended.

The source stated, “The cult boys have been having some disagreement among themselves. They shot themselves when one of the groups discovered the hiding place of their leader who collected all their arms. The unit leader killed two of the boys. Borokiri was hiding between Ogbo and Abarikpo in Ahoada East. Some persons in police uniform intercepted him. So he opened fire on them and they shot him dead.”

Contacted, spokesperson for the state police, Grace Iringe- Koko, confirmed the incident. Iringe-Koko explained that the intervention of the police prevented what would have been a bloodbath.

She said acting on credible information, the police trailed Borokiri to his hideout and on sighting them, he opened fire on them and was killed by the police who repelled him immediately.

She stated that normalcy had returned to the area, adding that cops had been stationed at the place.

Iringe- Koko stated, “I can confirm that three persons were killed. One of them is the unit leader of the cult group. But as we speak, there is calm in the community now because our men are patrolling the area. Investigation is ongoing to ascertain the cause of the incident and apprehend the suspects.’’

(Punch)