Etim Ekpimah
Ten people were shot at Laara/Igbe around 8.48pm on Monday when two rival cults clashed.
A source, who identified himself simply as Ayodele, told our correspondent that the cultists brandished cutlasses, daggers, axes, and guns. He added that many of those shot are innocent people who were either returning from work or managing their own businesses.
He said the victims were taken to hospitals on Tuesday morning for treatment, noting that he would not be able to tell if some of the victims would survive the gunshot wounds or machete cuts.
A shop owner at Laara, who wants his name concealed, said the cultists at Laara are often given backup by those from Igbogbo to attack those at Elepe and some other communities.
According to the source, reprisal attacks by cultists from Elepe are every day, noting that many of the shops have been vandalised and looted.
The source said for more than a week she has not opened shop for fear of attacks and looting.
“We are often at the run at Laara/Igbe. I don’t think there is a week people walk freely in this area. We are often on the run, closing shops suddenly.
“We just manage to sell here. It’s very difficult for someone to recoup their investment,” the source added.
A resident said some cultists from Laara, backed up by those from Igbogbo left Tuesday afternoon to fight those at Igbogbo, adding that the situation would definitely lead to a reprisal in the evening.
He stated that around 12.33pm some hoodlums were seen on different motorbikes heading towards Elepe with machetes, knives, daggers, axes, and guns.
Our correspondent, however, gathered that fight actually broke out at Elepe in the afternoon.
It was, however, observed that some policemen and local vigilantes have been deployed at Laara/Igbe to forestall further clashes.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said he would check the message the correspondent sent to him and promised to get back to him.
He had yet to do so as at the time of the press.