Posted by The Port Harcourt Telegraph on
Despite strategies that are being deployed to ensure an end to cult battles in Port Harcourt fighting resumed Tuesday night between persons believed to be loyal to Ateke Tom and Soboma George. Up till 9.15pm, fighting was still going between the two sides.
* high calibre guns used in action
* dynamites add to the mayhem
Despite strategies that are being deployed to ensure an end to cult battles in Port Harcourt fighting resumed Tuesday night between persons believed to be loyal to Ateke Tom and Soboma George. Up till 9.15pm, fighting was still going between the two sides.
Much of the fighting was concentrated around Captain Amangala Street, Harold Wilson, Churchill and New Market areas.And our sources in the area who were in touch as the battle progressed said shots were fired indiscriminately as the two groups stood toe-to-toe, using everything in their possession to secure advantage. According to them, four rounds of dynamites reportedly exploded between Oropolo Night Club and Captain Amangala Street.
They said general purpose machine guns as well Ak47s were used in the deadly fighting which sent many running for cover, and led to screams in many homes within the fighting zone as families braced for the worst.
So far, there is no information on the number of those who could have been wounded or killed.
Our sources revealed they were holed in, and so could not dare to step outside the warmth of their homes. But they noted that, given the intensity of the fighting, they had reason to suspect casualties were likely.
As at the time of going to press, fighting had ended. One source told this publication it end at about ten minutes to eleven o'clock Tuesday night.
Through out the battle which lasted for more than one hour, police were not seen, residents told this publication while recounting what happened.
As soon as the fighting died, residents hinted us, the police appeared on the scene. We could not however, confirm if the fighters had received hints through look-outs that the police was on the way.
Differences between the Vigilante and the break-away faction led by Soboma that some prefer to call Outlaws have deepened, particularly after the killing of Senibo George and Golden Kalio.