The lives of three suspected cultists have been cut short by men of the Rivers State Police Command during a shootout in Udebu Community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State on Sunday evening.
Confirming this, a source from the area, said the Police thwarted a supremacy battle between members of the Iceland and Greenland cult groups terrorising the Ahoada East and West LGAs.
Acting on intelligence, the police operatives were said to have arrived at the scene at about 5 pm and returned fire immediately the miscreants shot at them leading to three fatalities.
According to the community source, the leader of one of the gangs identified as Ikechukwu Uturu popularly known as ‘Old School’ from Ahoada East and other hoodlums escaped with bullet wounds.
He stated, “After they opened fire on the men from the Ahoada Police Division, one of the cultists called Bright and two others were killed.
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“But one hard man who is gang leader, Ikechukwu Uturu, aka Old School and two others escaped with injuries because the police shot them.”
One locally fabricated G-3 rifle, a locally fabricated pistol which uses AK 47 ammunition, charms and other dangerous weapons were recovered from the hoodlums by the Police.
It was gathered that pandemonium ensues during the gun battle which lasted for almost an hour, as many residents of the area fled into the bush, while others remained indoors till Monday morning.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the incident.
Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police said, “Yes, I can confirm that three cultists were killed.
“The cultists were engaging in a supremacy battle when we (police) received credible information and mobilized our men.
“Three of them were neutralized. An investigation is still on to apprehend other gang members and ensure that they face the law.”