Cult clashes have been unsettling residents of Okuni and Akam communities in Ikom local government area of Cross River State in the last five days.
The violence started when members of the Viking Confraternity allegedly killed a young man named Alobi Nsor, in Okuni Community and fled.
The victim, suspected to be a member of the Klan Confraternity, gave up the ghost after the assailants opened gunfire on him. The incident sparked reprisal attacks, resulting in several injuries and deaths.
In a reprisal attack, gunmen suspected to be members of the rival cult group, stormed the nearby community of Akam and shot a young man suspected to be a Klan member below the abdominal cavity after he returned from the farm.
The gunmen also gunned down another young man (Mr Ubong, surname withheld). It was suspected that those who killed him were members of a rival gang.
After his death, the attackers attempted to behead him but fled when community members intervened.
In a swift reaction, the police authority deployed their men to control the security situation. The traditional rulers were not left out as they have also imposed a strict 6pm-6am curfew to maintain law and order in the two warring communities of Akam and Okuni that hitherto share a common relationship.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Irene Ugbo, who confirmed the incident, assured that the police were tirelessly working to ensure that they track down the culprits.
The police deputy PPRO, Mr Igiri Ewa, who spoke on behalf of Ugbo stated that the suspects would be apprehended, saying, “You know these people would be on the run once they commit a crime. Let me assure you that the police will get them.”
Residents are living in fear of reprisal attacks with some expressing shock and concern over the violence.
A resident of the area, Stanley Edim, described the situation as “strange and unprecedented” in their community.
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