Four people have been
feared dead in a cult war in Okundi village of Boki Local Government Area in
the Central Senatorial District of Cross River.
It was learnt that
houses and properties worth millions of Naira were also destroyed in the
incident which started on Monday and escalated on Tuesday.
A community member,
Joseph Osor, said that 12 villages that made up the Old Osokom Clan in Boki
local government area had earlier met seeking ways to eradicate cult activities
in the community.
Osor said the cult groups, however, got the
information that the community was plotting to counter their activities and
decided to strike first.
According to him, the
cultists allegedly camped in a Church in Okundi, close to Boki Boys’ Secondary
School.
“On Monday night, they
struck killing their first victim, Bukie Bankong, who spoke vehemently in the
community condemning activities of the cultists. The entire community then rose
attacking all alleged cult members killing Alphonsus Ewung, Otu Edum, Joseph
Bankong and the son of one Chief Paulinus Out, among others. Several houses and
property worth millions of naira have been burnt between Monday and Tuesday
that the trouble started,” he said.
Another community
member revealed that those killed includes the younger brother of one Rev. Fr.
Francis Agbor.
The Commissioner of
Police in the state, Austin Agbonlahor, who confirmed the incident, said that
the police have been mobilised to the area to restore peace.