Tension heightens in Bonny as cult groups engage each other in a shootout

Two cult groups, Icelanders and Greenlanders, engaged each other last night in a shootout in Bonny Island, headquarters of Bonny local government area of Rivers State as residents scampered for safety to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

Eye witness accounts have it that trouble started when the Icelanders allegedly murdered one Akienyanagha Green, also known as Akieofori or Talent Green, who is reported to be the leader of the Greenlanders while he was attending a funeral wake-keep at Akiama village in Bonny.

Irked by the incident, the Greenlanders went for revenge, killing one Iminabo Halliday and another unidentified member of the Icelanders. This set off the already fragile situation resulting in the shootout last night.

The shooting, which sources claim occurred around Oguede, New Road and other areas of the town, lasted for about an hour before being contained by the security agencies. Unconfirmed sources say seven people lost their lives in the incident.

A curfew has been imposed on the island. In the meantime, palpable tension hangs over the area as residents are generally cautious.