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| SP Polycarp Emeka |
The Rivers State Police Command stated its personnel killed three suspected cultists following a shootout on Sunday evening in the Udebu community of the state's Ahoada East Local Government Area.
When the police attacked the Ahoada East and West Local Government Areas, the members of the Iceland and Greenland cult organizations that were terrorizing the area had reportedly mobilized for a dominance struggle, according to The Punch.
Three people were killed after the operatives, acting on a tip-off, responded to shots fired at them when they arrived at the area around 5 o'clock.
A local source informed our correspondent that the head of one of the gangs and other individuals were wounded by gunfire but managed to flee.
The source stated that, “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 man who is a gang leader and two others escaped with injuries because the police shot them.”
The suspects were found with one locally-made G-3 rifle, one locally-made pistol that takes AK-47 ammunition, charms, and other weapons, according to the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the state police command's spokesman, confirmed the occurrence when reached.
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 (the police) received credible information and mobilised our men.
“Three of them were neutralised. An investigation is still on to apprehend other gang members and ensure that they face the law.”