No fewer than two persons were shot dead while another sustained critical injuries following a violent clash between rival gangs in Ngo and Unyengala communities in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State on Monday morning.
According to a press statement from the Rivers State Police Command, the incident involved suspected members of the militant group, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), and the Iceland cult.
The clash, which reportedly began on Sunday, escalated into a battle for territorial control and supremacy.
“It started on Sunday evening when I heard shooting in Ngo and Unyengala, and people were running to save their heads. They said it was Iceland and MEND. Many of us ran away, but it was later that we found out that two people were shot dead,” a source who preferred anonymity told our reporter.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, confirmed the incident and said investigations are ongoing. “Yes, I can confirm the incident. Two people were killed, and another person was critically injured. It is linked to a supremacy battle between two rival cult groups in the area.”
“Security has been beefed up, and calm has returned. Investigation is ongoing to ensure the culprits are identified and apprehended,” she stated.
Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to prevent further escalation.
