From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
FEAR has gripped residents of Mbiri community in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State following the gruesome murder of 18-year-old girl, Faith Ijeamaka, by suspected ritualists who cut-off her breasts and genitals.
A community source explained that the victim’s body was found mutilated along a farm road in Mbiri some days after she was reported missing.
“We resorted to consult a soothsayer after days passed without knowing the whereabouts of Faith. She was a promising young girl whose life was brutally cut short,” the source said.
Meanwhile, a 22-year-old young man, and an indigene of Ute-Okpu, also in the same local government, Godstime Okoh was shot dead by suspected cultists.
The incident happened in Boji-Boji Owa where the deceased, popularly called GT, was allegedly killed.
His bereaved mother, Mrs. Doris Okoh swore that her son was not a cultist and never had anything to do with cult members but wondered why he was killed in his prime.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Celestina Kalu could not confirmed the incidents, she however stated in a statement that the command arrested 18 suspected cultists who have been harassing commuters and residents of Ejeme Aniogor in Aniocha South Council area.
Kalu, said three persons, including two males and one female have been nabbed for kidnapping by detectives attached to Isiokolo Division in Ethiope East Council. She said one short gun was recovered.
According to her, the command also killed a suspected armed robber during a shoot out.
She said operatives had “intercepted a black Volks Wagen car with registration number AG 625 DSZ with four occupants.
“The team flagged the occupants to stop for a search but they opened fire on the patrol men. In the ensuing gun duel, one of the suspected armed robbers was gunned down while the others abandonned the vehicle and fled.
“Items recovered included one K2 rifle No. 97000 with a magazine and 12 rounds of live ammunition; one G3 rifle No. 8112982, its magazine, 16 rounds of live ammunition and a Volks Wagen Jetta car marked AG 625 DSZ. Investigation is ongoing while efforts have been intensified to track down the fleeing bandits.”