At least three persons have sustained injuries following a renewed clash between suspected members of the Eiye and Black Axe confraternities in Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The incident, which occurred amid heightened tension in the community, has raised fresh concerns among residents over the activities of suspected cult groups and the possibility of reprisal attacks.
It was gathered that the clash reportedly began after a misunderstanding over an exchange of pleasantries between a woman and a suspected member of a rival confraternity.
Sources familiar with the incident said the initial disagreement was settled, but one of the men allegedly returned to the woman’s family and repeatedly confronted her over the matter.
According to one of the sources, an elderly man who attempted to resolve the disagreement was allegedly injured during the confrontation.
The source said the woman’s husband later arrived and confronted his rival, resulting in another altercation in which one of the men sustained a head injury.
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“Not satisfied with the settlement, the man went to the family of the woman and he began to warn her over the incident repeatedly and an elderly man who had gone to resolve the issue was allegedly injured.
“During process, the husband of the woman came and confronted his rival and one of them was injured on the head,” the source said.
The source further alleged that the subsequent mobilization of rival cult members led to a shooting at a brothel on Emosivwe Street, where a ticket taskforce member identified by his nickname, Stainless, was reportedly shot.
“Later in the night, other cult rivals mobilized for a retaliatory mission and one Stainless, a ticket taskforce member was shot at a brothel in Emosivwe street.
“Currently, Ekiugbo community is handling the matter in other to restore peace in the area,” the source revealed.
Two of the injured victims, identified by their nicknames as Obas and Stainless, are reportedly receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital, while the identity of the third victim could not be immediately ascertained.
A security source at the Ughelli Area Command, who confirmed the incident, said three persons were injured in the clash.
“There was a clash between Eiye and Black Axe, where three persons were injured. Two of those injured are known as Obas and Stainless.
“People are now worried because of the possibility of another round of violence or retaliation,” the source said.
The source added that the police are investigating the incident and would ensure that anyone found culpable faced the law.
The latest clash has heightened concerns over cult-related violence in Ughelli, with residents calling for increased security surveillance and intelligence gathering to prevent further violence.
The community’s efforts to resolve the matter are ongoing, while residents have urged the police and other security agencies to take urgent steps to restore peace and forestall possible reprisal attacks.
