No fewer than three persons have been killed and over 10 houses burnt in Akpoha community, in the Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, when two rival cults clashed on Monday, April 29, 2019.
Southern City News gathered that one Eze Ikpor, 18, was still in a coma in an undisclosed hospital in the state owing to the injuries he sustained during the clash.
It was also learnt that one of those killed was identified as Ogbo Ukpai, a 27-year-old, while the body of a yet-to-be -dentified person was found by the riverside on Monday after the clash.
A Punch correspondent further learnt that in a show of anger, residents of the area set ablaze houses of suspected cultists in the community.
The Ebonyi State Police Command confirmed the incident and hinted that about five persons had been arrested in connection with the incident.
The spokesperson of the Command, Loveth Odah, confirmed the incident to journalists in Abakaliki on Tuesday and said, “On April 28, 2019, there were cult-related activities in Akpoha community by 10 pm.
“The cult clash claimed the life of Ogbo Ukpai, aged 27 years old; while Eze Ikpor, an 18-year-old, was beaten to coma. Residencies of all the cult boys in that village were set ablaze by the villagers. They took laws into their hands by setting the houses ablaze.
“The DPO of Afikpo division said he led a patrol team and SARS and moved into the village. They were able to calm the situation and as I am talking to you, five persons have been arrested in connection with the incident.
“In Ebonyi, we don’t just have communal crises, but also cult-related activities. Everywhere you go in the state, you see almost everybody practicing cultism. What is happening? What benefit does a person practicing cultism have?”
