From Blessing Ibunge, Port Harcourt
Suspected cultists early hours on Monday killed four persons in Rumuodogo 1 community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The AUTHORITY gathered that the victims includes three operative of Odegu Security and Advisory, OSPAC, a local vigilante group in the area and a motorcycle rider.
It was learnt that the vigilante members had gone to Rumuodogo 1, in search of a cult leader whom they had earlier declared wanted for failing to accept peace and shun cultism.
It was further gathered that the said cultist, name yet to be known at press time, had fled the area with other cultists who were also declared wanted by the local vigilante group in the area
A source in the area, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that the OSPAC had got information that one of the cultists they declared wanted, but fled the area had returned to celebrate the festive period.
The source disclosed that while the security men where entering into the community, the cultists ambushed and killed all of them. He said that motorcycle rider was suspected to have conveyed the suspect to the place of incident.
He said: “The incident happened this early morning. The OSPAC people got information that a cult who was among the cultists they declared wanted has returned. They were on their way coming when the cults gathered and killed them.
“The OSPAC people who brought relative peace had called on all cultists to repent and stop their activities. They asked the repentant cultists to take Oath that they will not involve in criminal activities. Some of the cultists accepted, while other refused and ran away.
“OSPAC declared those ones that ran away wanted. OSPAC said they will only stay in the community when they take the oath. The people are now living in fear because of the development.”
