At least three suspected cultists have been arrested by Police during a shootout in Udebu Community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
It was learned that members of the groups identified as Iceland and Greenland cults terrorizing the area had mobilised for a supremacy battle when the police swooped in on them.
The Rivers State Police Command made this known in a statement signed by the spokesperson of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the incident on Monday, noting that they acted on a tip-off arrived at the scene at about 5 pm and returned fire immediately the miscreants shot at them leading to three fatalities.
Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police said, “Yes I can confirm that three cultists were killed.
“The cultists were engaging in a supremacy battle when we (police) received credible information and mobilized our men.
“Three of them were neutralized. An investigation is still on to apprehend other gang members and ensure that they face the law.”
A community source explained that the leader of one of the gangs identified as Ikechukwu Uturu popularly known as ‘Old School’ from Ahoada East and other hoodlums escaped with bullet wounds.
He stated,” After they opened fire on the men from the Ahoada Police Division, one of the cultists called Bright and two others were killed.
“But one hard man who is gang leader, Ikechukwu Uturu, aka Old School, and two others escaped with injuries because the police shot them.
“One locally fabricated G-3 rifle, a locally fabricated pistol that uses AK-47 ammunition, charms, and other dangerous weapons were recovered from the miscreants,” the source said.
It was gathered that pandemonium ensues during the gun battle which lasted for almost an hour, as many residents of the area fled into the bush, while others remained indoors till Monday morning.