At least seven persons were feared dead following the clash between three cult groups, the Vikings, Red Skin, and KKK, otherwise known as Klans men in Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State.
Trouble was said to have started somewhere around Akpan Essien Street, where some young men who were drinking engaged in an argument which degenerated into a scuffle.
One of the victims, a 27-year-old man, Anieyie Okon Essien of No. 10 Asukwo Akpan Street, Ewet Offot, in Uyo Local Government, and a driver in Government House, was buried in the father’s compound on Saturday.
According to an eyewitness Anieyie was shot twice by some unidentified cultists, while another cultist who was a little far from him shouted, “finish it, confirm,” before the people that shot him brought out their knives and macheted him to death.
Another person was also said to have been killed in Akpa Ubeh, around Itam Junction, and another on Iboko street.
Residents of Udo Ikpe, Urua Udofia, Udoinwang, Anderson, Akpa Edor, Asukwo Akpan streets, in Uyo metropolis complained that they have been living in fear as cultists have been harrassing and terrorising them in the last one month.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Etim Dickson, confirmed that the police have arrested about seven cultists who were in the State Police headquarters, and that they would be prosecuted soon.
“We are aware that for sometime now the cultists have been killing themselves. We have made some arrests through the combined efforts of the Quick Response Squad, and the policemen of the ‘A’ Division. We will make sure we prosecute them no matter who is involved,” Dickson said.
