By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
Tension has gripped Mosogar Community in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State following the gruesome killing of a serving Anti-Cult officer under the Sapele Police Command, Joshua Umukoro, by suspected cultists on Sunday, October 12.
It was gathered that Umukoro was attacked and stabbed to death during a meeting he attended in the town, while one other member of his group sustained severe injuries and is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital. A third member reportedly escaped unhurt.
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, when contacted, said the incident had not yet been confirmed by the command.
A cousin of the deceased, Comrade (Dr.) Efemena Umukoro, a human rights activist, confirmed the killing in a telephone interview with our correspondent in Warri.
“I was supposed to be in that meeting but I declined. The suspected cultists had earlier threatened to kill him because he used his Anti-Cult group to arrest their members and hand them over to the Police,” Efemena said.
He explained that he had warned Joshua not to attend the meeting. “He was determined to get results at all costs. When he got there, he met strange faces and was ambushed. They stabbed him in the neck. Another member was critically injured and hospitalized. One person escaped,” he narrated.
Contrary to social media reports linking the deceased to cultism, Comrade Umukoro described his late cousin as a devoted Anti-Cult member who had been instrumental in curbing violent gang activities in Mosogar.
“He was not a cultist. He worked tirelessly to rid our community of cult-related violence. He even led a peaceful protest three years ago when Mosogar was in darkness due to a power outage, and his activism helped restore electricity to the town,” he recalled.
The activist further noted that Joshua and his Anti-Cult team had recently helped the Police arrest suspected criminal herdsmen who were terrorizing residents in the community.
While lamenting the growing cult clashes in Mosogar, Comrade Umukoro alleged that wealthy individuals were sponsoring the violence.
“We are not suspecting anyone, but we urge the Delta State Police Command under CP Olufemi Abaniwonda to thoroughly investigate and bring the killers to justice. The CP is a gallant officer, and we trust that he will not let this matter be swept under the carpet,” he added.
Recent months have witnessed renewed cult clashes in Mosogar and neighbouring communities in Ethiope West, leading to multiple casualties and widespread fear. Security sources say rival groups have been battling for supremacy, prompting joint operations by local Anti-Cult units and the Police to restore peace in the area.
The latest killing has heightened tension in Mosogar, with some residents reportedly fleeing the community to avoid possible reprisal attacks.