Two people, including an ex-convict, were killed during a clash between two rival cults on Gambia Street, Mile One, Diobu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday.
A witness identified the cults as the Icelandic Beach Deck and the Degbam Castro House.
The witness said the Deygbam cult, led by a former rival gang member, ambushed Iceland’s leader, Precious Adiele.
The source told our correspondent that the thugs inflicted several machete cuts on Adiele, resulting in her death.
He said: “Degbam members after killing their first target stormed a building where another member of the Bar Beach Iceland cult is believed to reside.
“When they searched the compound and found he (target) was not home, they set the building on fire.”
It revealed that an old man, who was trapped in the building, burned to death.
It was deduced that the residents ran to safety during the attack.
The criminals were said to have disappeared before the arrival of the police.
Our correspondent, who visited the area on Sunday, reported that there was palpable tension over fears of reprisals and counterattacks from any of the rival cults.
State police command spokeswoman Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed Adiele’s death, adding that the deceased recently returned from a detention center.
Iringe-Koko, the superintendent of police, said in a text message: “The man killed is Precious Adiele, 26 years old.
“He was a member of Iceland and a notorious armed robber who had been involved in a series of robbery cases and had just returned from the detention center.
“The scene has been visited. The Police Commissioner has deployed tactical teams to ensure that no further breaches of law and order occur.
“The CP also ordered the arrest of other members of the sects. In the meantime, the investigation is ongoing.”
