Two members of the Eiye confraternity were killed on Monday night in Ughelli, Delta State, in a renewed wave of cult-related violence linked to earlier clashes between rival groups.
One of the victims was a former youth chairman of Otovwodo community, simply identified as Djesa, a close relative of the monarch of Ughelli, while the identity of the second victim could not be ascertained as at press time.
Both were reportedly killed at Otovwodo community at about 8:00 p.m. on Monday.
Sources said the violence stemmed from an earlier disagreement between two young men from rival cult groups.
The matter was reportedly taken before community leaders in Otor-Iwhreko, where it was resolved, with a Vikings member found guilty and disciplined.
However, the situation allegedly escalated when an Eiye member, dissatisfied with the outcome, mobilised others and attacked a Vikings member, said to be a street chairman on Osadjere Street.
This led to further reprisals, during which Eiye members were accused of killing a Vikings member at Otor-Iwhreko and seriously injuring another person at Uloho Avenue on Thursday, January 15.
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The latest killings of the two Eiye members were described by residents as a retaliatory attack by suspected Vikings members over the earlier deaths of their colleagues.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a police officer was reportedly killed in Ughelli during a patrol operation.
The officer was part of a police team on a raid on Monday when they were ambushed by suspected assailants at the Ighagbomi area of the town.
A police source, who confirmed the incident on condition of anonymity, said a colleague was killed during the ambush but declined to give further details, noting that investigations were ongoing.
Reacting to the incidents, the Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Mr. Jaro Egbo, issued a strong warning to those involved in cult-related killings.
“For those killers hiding under cultism in Ughelli, we have dossiers on you. Your leaders will pay a heavy price, and you will be hunted down,” Egbo warned.
Residents have expressed growing concern over the rising insecurity in the area, calling on security agencies to intensify patrols and bring the perpetrators to justice.
