NEWS

Cult clash result to death in Enugu

From Petrus Obi

At least one person was confirmed dead in a fresh clash between two rival cult groups last weekend in the Abakpa Nike area of the Enugu State capital.

Police identified the victim as Emmanuel Obiekwe.

The Enugu Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the renewed cult war in the coal city, also disclosed that nine persons had already been arrested, adding that investigations were still on to unravel the cause of the trouble and identities of those involved.

He said: “The deceased was found in the Abakpa area of the capital and nine persons have been arrested; we don’t know yet if the deceased is a student but we suspect conflict between cult groups.

“Investigation is on and we would soon be in a better position to know what actually happened.”
There was already fear among residents of Ugbene 11 area of Abakpa where a good number of cultists were reported to have paraded the area at the weekend harassing and robbing their victims.

The latest clash, which was believed to be between the Black Axe, popularly known as ‘Ayes’, and ‘Bargas’ came less than two months after several people were murdered in a similar clash that contributed to the ban on the use of motorcycles popularly known as Okada in Enugu.

The proscription of Okada, which had received mixed feelings from different groups, was sequel to a law promulgated by the state House of Assembly.
Before the recent clash, the level of crime was believed to have reduced considerably as a result of the ban on Okada.