ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
Four persons have reportedly been killed in Swali, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, as rival cult groups clashed violently on Sunday.
The clash occurred barely two days after communities in Yenagoa placed a ban on cult activities in the area.
It was gathered that in the clash in Swali between the Dey-Well and Bobos cult groups, three persons were despatched to their early graves.
The three victims were said to be killed on the road linking Aritalin Road to Obele Street in the Ovom area of Down Yenagoa. However, another person was reportedly killed in the Osiri area of Ekeki suburb of Yenagoa metropolis bringing the number of fatalities to four.
Details of the cause of the clash were sketchy, but sources claimed it was not unconnected with political rivalry following the fallout of alleged funds released to one of the groups by some unnamed politicians.
The recent upsurge in cult clashes in the Yenagoa metropolis has sent fears to many residents of the state capital.
A popular entertainer, Laffcyrup Odumgele, on his Facebook page, called on the state government to take the issue of security seriously.
The entertainer wrote: “Bayelsa State government should really look into the level of insecurity, particularly cult activities, seriously.”
It was learnt that rival cult clashes usually heighten when politicians engage cult members in their political activities.
Reacting to the clash, spokesman for the state police command, Asinim Butswat, confirmed the incident, but said only two persons were killed.
He said the police had arrested four persons in connection with the incident and that investigation was ongoing to unravel the cause of the clash and arrest more culprits.