No fewer than three suspected cultists, including a gang leader, have lost their lives during a gun battle in Abarikpo community, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.

It was gathered that members of the ‘Icelander’ invaded the community at about 2 am on Thursday in search of their unit leader, Bright Ejike popularly known as ‘Borokiri’ who they claimed had converted the gang’s arms and ammunition to his personnel use.

A source who pleaded anonymity said immediately they saw them, Borokiri and some of his loyalists engaged the invading faction in a gun battle which resulted in the death of three.

The source explained that residents remained indoors following the shooting which lasted for about two hours in the wee hours.

“These cult boys have been having some disagreement among themselves. Yesterday they were shooting themselves when one of the groups discovered the hiding place of their leader who collected all their arms. So, the unit leader killed two of the boys,” he said.

He added that after the initial shootout, “Bright a.k.a Borokiri was hiding between ‘Ogbo and Abarikpo in Ahoada East. Some persons in police uniforms intercepted him. So he opened fire and they shot him dead.”

When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident.

Iringe-Koko explained that the timely intervention of the police prevented what would have been a bloodbath.

She said acting on credible information, the police trailed Borokiri to his hideout and on sighting the operatives; he opened fire on them and was gun down by operatives who repelled him immediately.

She however said normalcy has returned to the area as operatives have been stationed there.

“I can confirm that three persons were killed. One of them is the unit leader of the cult group. But as we speak, there is calm in the community now because our men are patrolling the area. “The investigation is ongoing to ascertain the cause of the incident and apprehend the suspects,” she added. (The PUNCH)

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