A suspected clash between rival cult groups has left one man dead at Oviri-Olomu in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, throwing communities in the kingdom into tension and prompting a strong intervention by the traditional ruler.
The deceased, identified as Lucky Omole, 31, was reportedly shot at close range in the stomach during the violence at Ovwodokpokpo-Olomu.
It was learned that the deceased died at the Federal Medical Centre, Ovwian, after battling for his life for two days.
According to sources, “Omole relocated from Oviri-Olomu to neighbouring Ovwodokpokpo-Olomu following the unsettled dispute between two rival cult groups Aro Bagger and Black Axe.
According to the source, “Omole had been involved in a lingering dispute with members of the rival group before he was allegedly tracked to Ovwodokpokpo-Olomu, where he was attacked and shot.
“He was not immediately taken to a hospital because those around him feared medical personnel would insist on a police report before treatment. Instead, he was reportedly taken to a traditional healing home where he was turned away, spent the night without proper medical attention, and was later transferred to the Federal Medical Centre, Ovwian, where he eventually died.
His death triggered an unrest in the area and a secondary teacher, name withheld was also shot in the neck by the same suspected cultists shortly after the attack last Friday.
“The teacher has to escape for his life after he was chased to one of the communities as it took the timely arrival of security operatives from the Otu-Jeremi Police Division to rescued him from his hiding.
Disturbed by the renewed cult-related violence, the revered Olomu monarch, “The Ohworode of Olomu” convened an emergency meeting with presidents-general, community leaders, youth leaders and other key stakeholders across the kingdom.
During the meeting, the monarch issued a stern warning to cultists, illicit drug dealers and other criminal elements, declaring that their activities would no longer be tolerated in any community within the kingdom.
His Royal Majesty, Albert Akpomudje, SAN, also directed scrap metal dealers operating in sensitive areas to relocate their businesses, noting that intelligence reports linked some scrap yards to the activities of criminal gangs.
Contacted for confirmation, the Delta State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, did not respond to calls put across to his mobile line, neither did he respond to terse messages sent to his mobile lines.