Four persons have been killed when two rival cult groups engaged in violent clash in Ughelli, Ughelli North local government area of Delta state.
The four yet-to-be-identified victims were said to be notorious members of the Aye and Bagger confraternities.
LEADERSHIP reports that fracas broke out between the two groups on Thursday and lingered through the weekend.
Two persons were killed at Okogbe area of Otovwodo, while the other two lost their lives near Iwhreko and Ogor Park on Sunday morning.
The incident followed a dispute over debt collection between the two groups when one of the victims allegedly sold drugs to a member of the rival cult on credit.
Trouble started when one of the victim sought to recover the money from the illicit drug trade.
“The debtor, one of the cult groups, was confronted by the victim demanding repayment, resulting in an altercation where the victim was severely assaulted.
“Subsequently, the victim retaliated by attacking his debtor with a weapon in a separate encounter.
“The argument sparked further violence between the two groups and led to fatal confrontations within Ughelli” he stated.
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Edafe Bright confirmed the deaths and disclosed that one of the cult leaders had engaged with law enforcement to address the escalating tension and seek resolution.