A renewed cult clash in Cross River has claimed two lives in the Akam and Okuni communities in the Ikom Local Government Area.

The victims of the renewed cult war were said to have been killed at different locations in Okuni and Akam.

The state police command confirmed the killings and said the renewed cult clash is between rival cult groups of KK and Vikings.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo-Obase, said a tactical team had been mobilised to the area to bring the situation under control.

“We are aware of the situation. The Commissioner of Police, CP Rashid Afegbua, has sent a tactical team to the area. They are on the ground, trying to make sure the area is calm.

“The command will ensure those responsible for the killings are arrested and brought to book,” she stated.

Ms Ugbo-Obase, however, noted that Ikom has been very calm as the Police have been able to tame cultism in the area in the past.

A source, who spoke anonymously on the matter, said that what began as a localised conflict in the Okuni community on Saturday later snowballed into a full-blown crisis.

 “On Saturday, a member of the Klan cult group, Alobi Nsor, was gunned down in cold blood, an act that now appears to have been just the opening salvo in a horrifying sequence of attacks.

“This action was what led to the rival group storming the Akam community for a retaliatory mission,” the source said.

(NAN)