At least six persons were killed yesterday in renewed cult clashes at Tudun Wada, behind Lugbe Federal Housing Authority (FHA) in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, investigations have revealed.
Sources in the area said the lead attack was provoked by highly feared cult group, Black Axe, which is also known in local parlance as Aye.
It was gathered that the Aye first took on Aro cult group, while a bloodied Aro group later confronted a smaller cult confraternity known as Egede.
Eyewitnesses said the combatants, armed with various dangerous weapons which include top-rate guns, axes, daggers and swords, counted in the ranks of persons between 25 and 35 years of age.
The casualties were recorded at Angwa-Tiv where the Aro normally hold their meetings, as the Aye lauched a shock attack on the rival group.
First to be killed was a 25-year old man said to be the son of a wealthy politician, Chidera, while five others staggered away with fatal wounds into the adjourning bushes, where they later died.
While ferociously engaging each other with dangerous weapons, residents of Angwa-Tiv reportedly scampered for safety with some families sleeping in neighbouring communities, away from the scene for fear of midnight attack.
Our correspondent learnt that before Police operatives from Lugbe Division could arrive, the deceased, Chidera, who was a member of one of the rival groups, was stone dead.
Angwa-Tiv in Tudun Wada Lugbe has been known for notorious cult combatants and other forms of gangsters who daily terrorise residents with security operatives doing little or nothing about their activities, it was gathered.
They usually move in groups, harassing and seizing telephone handsets, particularly at nights, local sources further informed.
Meanwhile, efforts to speak with the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Lugbe FHA Police Station for his reaction were futile, as he was neither in the offoce nor could be reached on phone.
