Rivers State on Tuesday again witnessed an outbreak of violence when suspected cultists killed three persons in Umumei and Umuolu communities of Igwuruta in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.
The cultists, said to be fighting for the control of communities in the local government area, also blew up the home of the Paramount Ruler, Chief Ugudu Nyeche.
Our correspondent learnt that the two cult groups started fighting around midnight and continued till 5am, wounding several persons and destroying properties worth millions of naira.
A source in the community confirmed that the paramount ruler had fled from his house before it was bombed.
The source said that cultists also blew up the homes of Mr. Sam Nwulu and Mr. Chibuike Ozu, all indigenes of the community before they disappeared into the bush.
The source however gave the names of those shot dead as Aham Wogu, Ogechi Ndawe and Akawu Olajide.
While the fighting was spreading to all parts of the affected communities, a report was made to the headquarters of the State Police Command said, the source said.
The police, it was learnt, immediately deployed troopers to the area in the early hours of the day to engage the cultists.
When the assailants could not match the fire power of the police troopers, they retreated into the bush.
Riot policemen were patrolling the communities when our correspondent visited the area in the evening while some resident who had fled in the wake of the fighting were seen coming back to their homes.
The Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr. Felix Ogbaudu, who confirmed the attacks, noted that his men had brought the situation under control.