Nigeria soldiers on Wednesday killed five suspected cultists who engaged the Army in gun battle in Omoku in Rivers state.
Omoku is in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers state.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Port Harcourt, Maj.-Gen. Kasimu Abdulkarim, confirmed the killings.
He said said the battle was part of “Operation Clean up” of cultists and militants terrorising residents.
According to him, troops have so far recovered five AK 47 assault rifles from cultists in the area since January 1.
“Army 6 Division has recorded appreciable successes in its bid to rid the local government of cultists and brigands,” Abdulkarim added.
The Africa Update gathered from community sources that the incident started when troops stormed the area after receiving distress call from rival cultists.
Eyewitness account said the suspected cultists invaded Omoku town on Tuesday night and shot dead two unidentified young men before making attempt to escape.
“After killing the men, they shot sporadically before soldiers closed in on them”, an eyewitness said.
The Army recently launched a major operation in the area shortly after a Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr. Mohammed Alkali and his orderly were beheaded by cultists during the Dec. 10 legislative elections in the state
More details later.
