Four persons died, with many injured, as cultists clashed at the weekend, in Oron town, the headquarters of Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

It was gathered that trouble started when members ofDay BamandVikingshad disagreement at a pub, “but before we knew what was happening members ofDay Bammobilised and attacked members of theVikings, whileBlack Axecame in to support theVikings,” a source said.

The source said residents scampered for safety when the cult groups started shooting sporadically and brandishing other dangerous weapons.

According to a source, “dangerous weapons such as machetes, axes, guns, among others, were freely used and at the end of hostilities, no fewer than four persons were confirmed dead, while several others were seriously injured.”

Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent Odiko Macdon, said he was not aware of the incident.

Worried by the rising tide of cultism and violent crimes in the state, Commissioner of Police, Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, on assumption of duty barely three weeks ago, warned that he would not tolerate lawlessness in whatever form.

He stressed that the perpetrators were not spirits but live “in our midst and we should not wait until our relations are victims before we run to the Police.”

Meanwhile, the Police have arrested no fewer than 56 suspected cultists, kidnappers and robbers in the last two week, while a notorious kingpin was recently killed in a gun battle with security operatives.

(Vanguard)