Rival Cult Groups Clash At Ogbete Main Market, Enugu

There was pandemonium at Ogbete Main Market, Enugu, Friday, following a clash between alleged rival cult groups. The clash caused stampede as the groups used machetes, cudgels and other harmful tools against each other freely.

Traders, motorists, and passersby scampered for safety, causing gridlock in the process.

The skirmishes began around 3:30pm, and lasted for some hours before the arrival of operatives of the Nigeria Police, who arrested some of the alleged cultists. They were later taken to the Central Police Station, Enugu, for interrogation.

An eyewitness, who does not want to be mentioned, said, “These are young boys. They came out openly to carry out whatever informed their action. I learnt that they were on a revenge mission. The incident occurred around the entrance of Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu.”

A trader, Mr Julius Okpe, said the incident was unfortunate. In his words, “I hear that one of the cult members was killed, and his members came on an avenge mission. It was around 3:30pm, and lasted over an hour. It took the intervention of the police to calm the situation.”

An eyewitness and security expert, Mr Jerome Mba, said, “It did not involve traders at Ogbete Main Market. It occurred around Holy Ghost Cathedral. It involved these road touts or miscreants who are always around there smoking weeds.

“I learnt that one of them was killed two days ago, and the deceased’s cult group came to avenge his death. The police were equal to the task. There was also looting of goods as thieves used the stampede to embark on their nefarious activities.”

The Enugu state police command’s public relations officer, Mr Daniel Ndukwe, did not answer his calls when our correspondent sought his reaction.