Tension is rising in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt after suspected senior members of the Deygbam cult group allegedly beat a junior member, identified as Matthew, to death late Friday night, November 21, 2025, at Oduneze lane, Mile 3.

According to credible community sources, trouble began when Matthew’s pregnant partner reported him to the group’s leadership, alleging that he attempted to sell their three-year-old daughter.

The sources said the suspected cult leaders stormed the house and dragged Matthew to their barrack, where he was brutally beaten as punishment.

It was gathered that Matthew reportedly collapsed during the assault and died on the spot, prompting the alleged assailants and partner to flee immediately after the incident.

In response, a combined police team carried out a raid in the Oduneze lane on Saturday evening, November 22, 2025, arresting some suspects.

The number of arrests made could however not be independently verified as of press time.

Meanwhile, some persons familiar with the activities of the cult groups have warned that the killing could trigger renewed intra-cult violence and undermine the fragile calm recently recorded in Diobu and the wider Port Harcourt area if security agencies fail to intervene promptly.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, Superintendent of Police Grace Iringe-Koko, promised to respond to the inquiry, but had not reverted as at the time of filing this report, however multiple residents in the area, confirmed the incident.

It would be recalled that on November 13, 2025, SP Iringe-Koko announced the arrest of two additional suspects linked to a deadly clash between the BS and D12 factions of the Deygbam cult group in Diobu in May 2025, while eight other suspects were earlier charged to court. (Sunday Independent)