Watchers of socio-political events in Rivers State are currently on the edge over increasing, bloody perpatration of cult groups in Port Harcourt, the state’s capital, especially with regard to the reign of terror in the capital city by the fearsome cult group, Black Axe, widely known by its perjorative name -Aye.
While the notorious Aye had had several running battles with security agencies, most especially the police, the hapless locals in various Port Harcout communities have been bearing the brunt through killings, maiming, looting, and mass destruction.
Invrstigations reveled that while many people live in mortal fear and trepidation, hundreds have in the last one year fled their homes, seeking refuge in other states, often in makeshift accommodation.
In this year alone, investigations revealed that no fewer than 120 lives have been lost in tugs of war between Aye and its several locsl rivals that abound in Port Harcout.
For instance, on March 1, this year, a suspected cultist was reportedly shot dead by his rival from the ‘almighty’ Aye in a supremacy battle in Port Harcourt
The incident occurred at the Gambia Street axis in Mile 2 Diobu, where members of Aye Cult group and the ‘Castle and BloodStar houses’ of the Deebam Cult group clashed.
Eyewitnesses claimed that the victim was attacked with machetes and shot in the head. Sources reveal that the deceased’s cult group members took his corpse, while another suspected cultist was seen seeking medical help for machete cuts.
A resident of the area reported that the cult group whose member was killed regrouped to launch a revenge attack but dispersed upon noticing the presence of the Octopus Strike Force unit of the Nigeria Police.
Late last month too, no fewer than 19 persons were feared killed, after cultists reportedly of the Aye and another group clashed in Obelle Community, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, forcing residents to flee the troubled community for safety. This came after a similar clash last Wednesday that left seven people dead in the community.
The community was still lamenting the last Wednesday mayhem when two rival cult groups in the area resumed their battle for supremacy after more than two years of hibernation.
The latest clash was reportedly between the Deybam and Icelanders cult groups.
Sources revealed that after the killings, the group whose members were slain invaded Obelle targeting the relatives of those they believed were responsible for the deaths.
While the Aye cultists continued their attack, the opposing cult group engaged them in a fierce gun battle.
“Many people have been killed, including innocent ones. The shooting was so intense that people began fleeing the area.
“On Sunday morning, some Aye cultists came out and started shooting. They were attacking the relatives of the people they claimed were members of the gang that killed their own. It didn’t take long before the rival group appeared and started shooting. Members of both groups were killed in the crossfire.
“We are calling on the government to come to our aid. These cults are trying to tear our community apart. We want the police and the army to help us,” Kingsley recounted.
In the same vein, no fewer than three persons were killed and three suspects arrested in a fresh clash between Ayej and other rival cult groups in Onne, Eleme Local Government area of Rivers State.
Though the names of the other cult groups could not be identified, it was gathered that one of the groups had first launched an attack on the other, killing two on Friday. The incident led to a reprisal afterwards. The police said one of the notorious cultists identified as ‘Small Lighter’ who had been terrorising the area was among the three killed in the clash.
It was gathered that some residents of the area fled due to sporadic gunshots from the rival group which threw the community into confusion.
Spokesperson of the state Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident to journalists in Port Harcourt.
“From the information available to me, one of the suspects called ‘Small Lighter’ who has been terrorizing the Eleme axis killed one person from the other cult. So in retaliation they went after him and killed him. One other was killed earlier, so three persons in all.
“Our men have been deployed to the area and calm has been restored. Investigation is ongoing to fish out other fleeing suspects and ensure they are prosecuted.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Eleme LGA, Brain Gokpa, has promised to assist the security operatives to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those behind the killings.
Gokpa, while reacting to the cult clash, called on youths of the Onne community to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
Findings showed that two years after a wave of cult-related killings rocked the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt, a new surge of violence has once again plunged the region into fear, chaos, and uncertainty, all traceable to the dreaded Black Axe, the Aye.
Thursday, last week particuy marked a disturbing return of street clashes, with a viral video exposing brutal machete attacks and gunshots at Education Bus Stop, Mile 1, allegedly between rival cult groups;Blood Star (BS) and D12.
At the heart of this conflict is Ugochukwu Ukeagbu, a controversial figure in Aye and alleged mastermind of the earlier wave of killings in the Ogu waterfront of Mile 1 Diobu.
Sources close to the matter disclosedUkeagbu, who had gone into exile in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, resurfaced with renewed ambition and a vengeance-fueled agenda. He had previously attempted a coup-style takeover of the Aye cult group, leading to internal divisions and a violent fallout with the then-leader, known only as Mr. Iyallo.
With significant financial backing and local contacts, Ukeagbu reportedly forced Iyallo into hiding and launched a series of turf wars against rival groups, particularly the D12 cult group. That earlier conflict claimed no fewer than six lives, marking one of the deadliest cult wars in recent Diobu history.
According to eyewitnesses Thursday’s resurgence in violence stems from an ongoing territorial and financial dispute over control of extortion rackets, locally called “matching ground” in Nigerian pidgin. In this parallel economy, cult groups impose illegal taxation on traders and commuters in strategic commercial zones.
Aye Group group is said to control the lucrative Mile One Flyover Market down to Isaac Boro Park, while the D12 group covers the Education Bus Stop and SANGANA areas. Tensions erupted when BS members reportedly crossed into D12’s territory to collect extortion fees, sparking a confrontation.
A resident of the area, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, revealed that Ukeagbu was incensed that his men retreated after being warned by the D12 groups.
He allegedly threatened to punish any member who failed to assert Aye dominance in those contested areas. This ultimatum culminated in Thursday’s attack, where Aye members allegedly used machetes on a lone D12 member firing gunshots. D12 retaliated almost immediately, leading to the violent clash caught on camera.
Residents and traders are now urging the Rivers State Police Command and the state’s Sole Administrator to act with urgency. “This isn’t just cultism anymore,” said a shop owner near the Mile 1 Flyover. “It’s a criminal economy that threatens everyone,residents, traders, children. The government must take back control.”
Despite the viral nature of the recent incident, the Rivers State Police has yet to issue an official statement, a silence that is raising serious questions about readiness and resolve in tackling cult-related violence.