A violent clash between rival cult groups has resulted in four deaths at different locations over a debt recovery issue in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State.
Reports indicated that the victims, suspected members of the Aye and Bagger cults, were killed within a 24-hour period.
The conflict reportedly began when one of the deceased sold hard drugs to a member of a rival cult group, who did not pay for them.
Efforts to recover the debt led to a violent disagreement.
An anonymous source explained, “The man met his debtor who belonged to one of the cult groups requesting for his money and in the process, he was beaten up mercilessly.”
Following the assault, the beaten individual encountered his debtor in a secluded area and retaliated by severing his head with an unidentified object.
“Pained by the retaliation, both groups mobilised their members against each other and the brutal killings started within the Ughelli metropolis. The issues started last Thursday while the killing began between Saturday and Sunday. Two persons were killed at the Okogbe axis of Otovwodo,” the source continued.
Two additional fatalities occurred around Iwhreko and Ogor Park on Sunday morning, resulting in ongoing guerrilla-style attacks between the groups.
While Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Edafe Bright, was unavailable for comment, a senior security source from the state command confirmed the incident.
“We have only confirmed three and one of the group’s leaders has met with the security agents to resolve the issues,” said the security source.
