From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
At least three people have been killed in a renewed cult war at Ogwashi-Uku, a polytechnic community in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Hostilities began a few days ago following clashes between rival cult groups in the area. It all started with the alleged murder of one of the members of a rival cult, identified as Ekene by a five-man gang of suspect cultists. His alleged murder was said to have triggered the multiple killings.
The late Ekene was earlier declared missing for two days without anyone being able to trace his whereabouts. It was the third day that some group of youths saw one of the suspects who allegedly participated in the murder, riding on Ekene’s motorcycle, it was learnt.
A local source said: “The youths gave the young man a hot chase and succeeded in apprehending him. On interrogation, he confessed to the murder of the said Ekene and also named other members of his gang who participated in the crime. It is the cult members of the deceased that embarked on the reprisals.”
Some photographs of three bodies suspected to be deceased cult members, who died in attacks and counter attacks, have since gone viral. But a local security source in Ogwashi-Uku said one person was killed.
“I am aware of only one person killed somewhere at Agidhe quarters road. In fact, some of our men were among the people that moved the body to the morgue. The story that three people were killed by rival cult groups is not true,” the source said.