Three people were killed on Wednesday in a supremacy battle between two unidentified cult groups in the Opu-Nembe Community of the Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The gunmen who stormed the community in the late hours of the night were said to have engaged in an exchange of gunfire with their rival group.
It was not ascertained the motive of the gangs’ invasion of the community, but many residents believe that it may not be unconnected with the forthcoming general election.
Moreso, it was gathered that an aide to the youth president of the community and his girlfriend were reportedly shot dead by the assailants, while another person was also killed by the invaders.
A source further stated that the invaders started shooting sporadically as they headed to the home of the youth president’s aide and killed him and his girlfriend.
The source said, “He was with his girlfriend, and they were both killed.
“Another person was also shot dead. The home of the Opu-Nembe Youth President, Ayerite Moses, was also attacked and vandalized.”
When contacted, the police spokesman in Bayelsa State, SP Asinim Butswat, confirmed the incident, saying the number of casualties was unknown at the moment and adding that the command had already deployed more security personnel to the area.
He said: “There was a clash between rival groups at Nembe Bassambiri on February 15, 2023, at 2200 hours; the casualty figure cannot be ascertained at the moment; the rival group is not known at the moment; an investigation is ongoing.”
