By George Odok Jnr.
Residents of Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State were yesterday thrown into confusion following a renewed cult clash which claimed the life 15 persons from two rival cult groups.
The groups, whose names were given as Skylo and Scorpion are on dagger-drawn following alleged reprisal attack and jostle for supremacy in the area.
Among those killed was a pastor of one of the Pentecostal churches located at Anantigha axis who was hit by a stray bullet during full blown sporadic shootings.
The cleric, it was learnt was sent to his untimely grave while he was scampering for safety, luck ran out of his way when the bullet located him in his hideout.
Also, a pupil, 6, who was returning from school, was hit by an eyeless bullet during the fight. He was rushed to the hospital but latter died after profuse bleeding.
Besides, scores sustained various degrees of injuries as the cultists went on rampage looting properties of residents in their homes and business centers.
It was gathered that many residents have fled their homes for fear of attack as most tenants were members of either of the cult groups.
The ensuing battle which started in the month of April was intensified yesterday when one of the group members (names withheld) was alleged to have killed a member of a rival group.
This however led to a reprisal attack and sporadic shootings by the two groups as residents ran helter-skelter scampering for safety.
As a result of the fight yesterday, dangerous weapons including guns, machetes, daggers among other weapons were freely used by the cultists while security operatives were alerted to curtail the situation and as a result, operatives cordoned the hot spots including Mbukpa, Anantigha, Ambo, Jebbs, Palm streets.
“They came over 30 in number with cutlass and guns forcing a door of one of my neighbors shouting ‘let’s finish him, he feels he is the strongest we must slash his throat. When they discovered that he was not inside the house they moved to the next door as they were trying to open, I quickly jammed the bolt of the iron door and they stood there and were struggling to open it with their equipment but they could not, everybody in my compound has relocated for safety because they threatened that if they come back and their rival was not around they will kill all the occupants of the house.
We have alerted the police but no policeman has come to secure my area for now, please help us,” the victim appealed.
Another source who did not want his name in print said the renewed fight increased at the early hours of yesterday, when the two groups were in a full scale hunt for rival members.
Operatives of the Nigerian Police have made some arrests.
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