The traditional ruler of ancient Olomu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM Albert Akpomudje SAN,has issued a stern warning to cultists, drug dealers and other criminal elements following a suspected clash between rival cult groups that left one person dead and heightened tension across communities in the kingdom.
The deceased victim, identified as 31-Lucky Omole 31, was reportedly shot at a very close range in the stomach during the violence at Ovwodokpokpo-Olomu. He later died at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ovwian, after battling for his life for two days.
Sources told this medium that Omole had relocated from Oviri-Olomu to neighbouring Ovwodokpokpo-Olomu following a lingering conflict between suspected members of the Aro Bagger and Black Axe cult groups. He was allegedly tracked down by members of a rival group and attacked.
A source disclosed that the victim was not immediately taken to a hospital because those around him feared medical personnel would demand a police report before commencing treatment.
Instead, he was reportedly taken to a traditional healing home where he was turned away. After spending the night without proper medical attention, he was eventually moved to Federal Medical Center, FMC, Ovwian, where he later died.
The source further revealed that the killing sparked fresh unrest in the area, during which a secondary school teacher, whose identity was withheld, was allegedly shot in the neck by the same suspected cultists last Friday.
The teacher reportedly fled for safety as the assailants pursued him, but was rescued by security operatives from the Otu-Jeremi Police division after taking refuge in a nearby community.
Alarmed by the renewed violence, the Olomu monarch convened an emergency security meeting with presidents-general, community leaders, youth leaders and other stakeholders across the kingdom. During the meeting, the monarch warned that cultism, drug trafficking and other criminal activities would no longer be tolerated in any part of the kingdom.
The monarch also directed scrap metal dealers operating in strategic locations to relocate their businesses, saying intelligence reports had linked some scrap yards to the activities of criminal gangs.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that would help restore peace and ensure the safety of lives and property.
