Rivers State Police Command say a notorious cult gang leader, Goodluck Ezekwu, has been killed, following a gun battle between the police and his team.

The police spokesman in the state, Nnamdi Omoni, in a statement sent to reporters in Port Harcourt late Friday, claimed Mr Ezekwu, popularly known as ‘Big Daddy” has been terrorising Ibaa community in Emohua Local Government Area, whose gang on August 25, killed his rival’s son, Amobi Oguzo.

Mr Omoni said the gang leader was arrested on September 2, in Imo State, and was taken into custody, for which he confessed to crimes.

Peoples Gazette learnt Mr Ezekwu led the police to the hideout of his team members in Iba community.

“However, on sighting the police, the said Ebere Amesi and his gang, aggressively engaged the Police in a fierce gun battle and in the exchange of fire, both Goodluck Ezekwu and Ebere Amesi were caught in the cross fire, where they sustained fatal gun shot wounds,” Mr Omoni said.

Messrs Ezekwu and Amesi were confirmed dead by doctors at the hospital. Their corpses have been deposited in a morgue, the police spokesman revealed.

Mr Omoni also disclosed that one AK47 rifle with Breech No:15422 and one Assault Rifle No: Q701697A, with three live ammunition were recovered, saying efforts are intensified to arrest the fleeing gang members and recover operational weapons.

State Police Commissioner, Eboka Friday, directed the commander of the Tactical Units to beef up security in the community, and urged youth to shun cultism in Emohua, Mr Omoni added.