Policemen flee as cultists attack, rob residents

Policemen were no where to be found after daredevil cultists invaded some streets in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The cultists who numbered about 50 brandished matchets attacked residents, robbed passerbys and shop owners at Eagle Island, Timber Street and Echue stretch of Illabouchi.

The hoodlums were members of a suspected cult whose member was reportedly hacked to death last weekend by a faction of the group in the Mile 2 axis of Diobu.

An eyewitness, Peter Rowland, said residents ran into their homes and remained indoors for hours, as the cult members brandished machetes and other weapons while searching for their rivals.

Rowland said, “I was on the road when I saw over 50 guys with machetes.

“They used the cutlasses on people, collecting their belongings; some vehicle owners came out of their vehicles and ran for cover.

“Some traffic policemen at Illabuchi by Eagle Island Junction and members of the Diobu vigilance group in the area all ran away.

“When I saw what was happening, I had to call the Rivers State Government control room to lodge a complaint. Later, I saw that calm had returned to the area.”

The spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident.