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Troops from the Joint Military Task Force on Tuesday, killed two suspected cultists and arrested 20 others during a clash in some parts of Port Harcourt Old Township, Rivers State.
Troops from the Joint Military Task Force on Tuesday, killed two suspected cultists and arrested 20 others during a clash in some parts of Port Harcourt Old Township, Rivers State.
The clash followed reported skirmishes between rival cult groups which started in the early hours of Monday along the Abuja Waterfront settlements.
A source said rampaging cultists invaded some locations along the waterfronts and killed some unidentified persons and dragged their bodies into waiting vehicles.
He said some residents of the affected areas fled their homes while the attacks were going on.
Respite, however, came when troops and heavily armed policemen moved into the area as early as 8.am.
He said that one of the close aides to Soboma George, the leader of the Outlaws, was arrested by the security agents.
Some of the roads leading to the Old Township were blocked by soldiers, thus making bus and taxi drivers to suspend operations in those areas.
Vehicular movement was restricted along Abonnema Wharf Road, Agrey Road, Creek Road and Niger Street during the early hours of the day.
The military spokesman in the state, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, confirmed the killing and arrest of the suspected cultists.
He said based on intelligence report received at the JTF headquarters, troops were immediately deployed to Abuja Waterside where the cultists had infiltrated.
Musa said troops invaded the area between noon and 1.30pm during which the area was cordoned and a search carried out.
As the operation progressed, he said some of the armed cultists shot at the soldiers, who also responded with superior firepower.
After the exchange ended, he said two of the gunmen died while 20 others were arrested.
He said, 'We also recovered four AK 47 riffles and 400 rounds of live ammunition. Some of the gunmen fled through a river. We advise residents of the affected areas not to panic.
'The JTF is committed to the restoration of law and order in the state and we appeal to residents to give us useful information that would lead to the arrest of trouble makers.'