A deadly clash between two rival cult groups, Vikings and Black Axe, has claimed five lives in Oron, a coastal community in Akwa Ibom State, forcing terrified residents to flee their homes. The escalating violence has turned the once-peaceful town into a battleground, leaving the streets deserted and tension at an all-time high.
The violent altercation began when a community vigilante group, conducting a routine patrol, intercepted a young man riding a motorcycle at around 2:30 a.m. The vigilantes demanded to know his identity, suspecting foul play given the late hour. However, instead of cooperating, the young man reportedly pulled out a gun and shot one of the vigilante members dead on the spot. The others scattered in fear, marking the beginning of a brutal series of events.
Eyewitnesses, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, revealed that the shooter was allegedly a member of the Vikings confraternity. The attack was seen as a provocation, sparking a violent retaliation from the Black Axe group. The cult war quickly spiraled out of control, with both groups engaging in a vicious, bloody battle that has terrorized the entire community.
“As I speak, no one dares ride a motorcycle (Okada) within Oron town. The streets are empty, and the cultists are on a killing spree,” said one local resident. “Last night, there was heavy gunfire around Eyokim, Iquita, and other parts of Oron. It’s too dangerous to step outside after dark.”
The violence has also spread on social media, with a disturbing video circulating online. The footage reportedly shows a young man, believed to be a member of a rival cult, being axed and beheaded, while his killers recorded the gruesome act.
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In another horrifying incident, a young man who had distanced himself from cult activities after getting married and becoming a father was dragged from his home by rival gang members. He was taken into the nearby bush and killed, despite having left his former life behind.
Reacting to the mayhem, Akwa Ibom State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Timfon John, assured the public that authorities are working hard to bring the situation under control. “We have already arrested several suspects and paraded them before the media during an emergency press conference. Although the rival cults remain active, we are determined to contain the situation,” she said.
Despite the police’s efforts, fear continues to grip Oron, as residents pray for peace to return to their troubled community.
