By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
Fresh fears have gripped residents of parts of Rivers State following a deadly clash between rival cult groups in Andoni Local Government Area, which left two persons dead and another critically injured.
The violence, which broke out between Unyengala and Ngo communities, caused panic as sustained gunshots forced residents to flee, once again drawing attention to the lingering threat of cult-related violence in the state.
Reports indicated that the clash occurred between suspected members of a militant group and the Iceland cult group, in what was described as a battle for supremacy and territorial control.
Community sources disclosed that the confrontation began on Sunday evening and escalated into Monday, with armed youths engaging each other in sporadic shootings.
According to a resident who spoke on condition of anonymity, the sound of gunfire sent people running for safety across the affected communities.
“It started on Sunday evening when we heard shooting in Ngo and Unyengala, and people were running to save their lives,” the source said.
The source added that many residents fled their homes, only to later discover that casualties had been recorded during the violent confrontation.
“They said it was between Iceland and a militant group. Many of us ran away, but later we found out that two people were shot dead,” the resident added.
The Rivers State Police Command confirmed the incident, linking it to a supremacy struggle between rival cult groups operating in the area.
Spokesperson of the command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said two persons lost their lives in the clash, while another sustained critical injuries.
“Yes, I can confirm the incident. Two people were killed, and another person was critically injured,” she said.
Iringe-Koko explained that security operatives had been deployed to the communities to prevent further violence and restore normalcy.
She added that calm has since returned to the area, while investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible.
The renewed cult-related violence has heightened anxiety among residents, who fear a resurgence of similar clashes in the state if decisive action is not taken.