No fewer than 19 people were feared killed in a renewed cult clash in Obelle Community, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Sunday. The violence has forced residents to flee for safety.

The clash, reportedly between the Deybam and Icelanders cult groups, erupted just days after gunmen, believed to be cult members, killed seven people in the same community on Wednesday. Sources say the latest violence began when a faction sought revenge, attacking relatives of those suspected to be involved in the earlier killings.

A resident, Kingsley, described the situation as chaotic, stating, “Many people have been killed, including innocent ones. The shooting was too much, and people started leaving the community.”

Confirming the incident, state police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko linked the conflict to a dispute over levies from an oil company operating in the area. She stated that 10 deaths had been confirmed so far, with no arrests made yet. Investigations are ongoing.