Gunmen (file photo)

Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

An unconfirmed number of persons are feared dead, materials while thousands of residents of Bukuma, in Degema local area of Rivers State, have fled their homes since last Saturday due to the invasion of the community by Icelander cult group who were after their rival cult group, known as Degbam cult.

According to Ombo Benibo, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Degema local council who has visited the displaced persons to donate materials blamed Community heads and leaders for not doing enough resolve issues that led to the cult clash.

He also called on the Rivers state government to come to the aid of the displaced persons.

Confirming the incident this morning through telephone, the Spokesman of the Rivers State Police Command, Omoni Nnamdi said one person has been arrested.

“When the Police were alerted to the incident, the Divisional Police Officer covering the area was alerted and normalcy. The unfotunate incident was due to a rival cult clash between the Icelanders and Degbam.Police cannot confirm casualties.”

It is noteworthy that under the concluded state amnesty programme that covered the 23 local government areas of the state, members of different cult groups are supposed to surrender their arms to the amnesty committee.