Some persons, including a pregnant woman, were reportedly killed at the weekend in two different attacks suspected to be cult-related at Eteo, Eleme and Akporo-Sogho communities in Eleme and Khana local government areas of Rivers State, respectively.

It was gathered that no fewer than four persons lost their lives while several houses were burnt down during the attack in Akporo-Sogho community. Also, at Eteo, a family, including a pregnant woman, was said to be killed by the suspected cultists. A source however said that the baby was however rescued alive before the woman gave up the ghost at the hospital where she was rushed to.

The source said: “Cultists have overrun the once sleepy community. At a swoop, an entire family, including a pregnant woman, was slaughtered. But the miracle in this tragedy is that the baby survived the brutal attack as the dead woman was rushed to a hospital by witnesses. “Doctors rallied round and rescued the baby from the mother’s womb. This miracle child is currently under intensive medicare.”

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, said he was not aware of the incident yet and promised to contact the DPO in Eleme for confirmation. Meanwhile, Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Khana Local Government Area, Baridah Nsaanee, has confirmed the incident at Akporo-Sogho community. The CTC chairman was said to have led a team of security personnel, accompanied by the Bori Divisional Police Officer, Cletus Omuoke, to inspect the damage done by the suspected cultists. Nsaanee, who condemned the attack, called on the people of Akporo-Sogho community to remain calm and allow security agencies fish out the perpetrators of the act.

The CTC Chairman also warned cultists in the area that the amnesty offered to them by Rivers State Government would not shield them from prosecution if they returned to crime. The attacks came as the Rivers State Government continued mopping up arms in the state through the amnesty declared by the Governor, Barr Nyesom Wike.

In the meantime, the Paramount Ruler of Akporo-Sogho community, Abel Abalubu, has appealed to the authorities of Khana Local Government Area and the State Police Command to ensure the presence of security personnel in the community to forestall further killings by cult groups in the area.

•Sourced from Nigerian Pilot. Photo shows Governor Wike.

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