Three killed during cult clashes in Calabar, 2 more in retaliatory attack

The Police Command in Cross River has confirmed the killing of three persons after clashes between cult members in Calabar South Local Government Area of the state.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Irene Ugbo, who disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Calabar on Wednesday said the clashes occurred between suspected members of Klans and Black Axe cult groups.

He added that two other people were shot dead on Wednesday afternoon around Chamley street by Ekondo in what seemed a retaliatory attack in the same area.

He said, ‘‘Three persons have been killed and four people have been arrested; we are interrogating them.

‘‘Our men are everywhere in the area and the situation has been brought under control,” she said.

A resident of Ambo street, Mr John Achibong claimed that he witnessed the killing of one of the deceased at about 11:10 p.m. on Tuesday.

Read also: Kidnapping attempt on Kaduna-Abuja road thwarted by El-Rufai’s convoy

‘‘I was coming back from Church and on Ambo street I saw some cult members beating up a young man and one of them picked up a big firewood from a man roasting pork and hit the deceased; he fell down and the other assailants were shouting finish him.

“One of them brought out a machete and butchered the deceased and left him to die in the pool of his blood.

‘‘The incident resulted in a stampede as everyone on the streets ran for shelter.

“The police from Mbukpa police station in Calabar South LGA came one hour later while the whole place was deserted, but could not make any arrest as everyone had fled the area,’’ he said.

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