By Deborah Nnamdi
Two individuals were reportedly killed during a violent clash between suspected cult groups in the Mile 1 and Mile 3 Diobu areas of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
Sources revealed that the confrontation involved members of the D12 and Virus factions of the Deygbam cult group, who were engaged in a battle for territorial dominance.
The first incident occurred in the morning at the Odunze Lane area of Mile 3 Diobu, where gunmen believed to be affiliated with the Virus cult group ambushed and fatally shot a rival member of the D12 identified as All-Star.
In a retaliatory attack that afternoon, associates of the slain cultist, All-Star, stormed the Sagana/Railway area of Mile 1 Diobu and allegedly hacked to death a rival cultist from the Virus cult known as ‘Ishi’ using machetes. ‘Ishi’ was reportedly involved in the earlier killing.
The attacks have left the community in fear, forcing shop owners and traders to abruptly close their businesses amid rising tension.
Residents say this is not an isolated event, citing a similar clash two months ago that also resulted in a fatality.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, stated she would respond but had not done so as of the time this report was filed.
