Warri – Two persons, including a 14-year old boy, have reportedly died in a rival cult clash in Warri, Delta state.
The incident occurred at about 7am, yesterday between Ope and Old Welfare Street, near Lower Erejuwa in the oil city, claimed the live of a teenager after he was hit by stray bullet at the back of his head.
The NIGERIAN OBSERVER gathered that the late 14-year old boy was an only child of a single mother who used to assist his mother in her food business daily.
The other deceased who was one of the suspected cultists and identified simply as Morku, reportedly sustained a gunshot injury on his leg from the bullet of one of the vigilante members in the area, who tried to stop the gun fight before the arrival of the Police.
He was said to have been rushed by his gang members to a location outside the city, for treatment.
Residents were said to have been dispossessed of their belongings in the melee which caused tension in the area.
However, the attention of the Ekpan Police Division, in Uvwie council area of the state, was drawn to the development and the gang of about six, were rounded up by the security operatives.
Another source claimed that two females are among the gang of suspected cultists.
“The suspect (injured cultist) has been arrested. He was arrested along side four other persons, including two females while trying to get treatment in Uvwie Local Government Area.
“Some group of boys held them when they discovered they had come to treat a bullet wound” the source who spoke on condition of anonymity said.
Confirming the incident on Friday, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hafiz Inuwa, said he was not aware that a boy was hit by a stray bullet, as a result of which, he died.
CP Inuwa said, “all I know is one was actually hit with bullet which the Police, along with others arrested. On information, they arrested the other parties, about five or six of them who were involved in the violent clash.
“As for the deaths, I don’t know. If the one that was injured died, maybe he died as a result of excessive bleeding. It is possible he died thereafter, but up till now, I have not gotten the report”.
