In a resurgence of violence in Cross River State, gunmen in the cloak of cult members have unleashed another round of mayhem on Ekori in Yakurr Council of the state and Port Harcourt, Rivers State leaving a 26-year old polytechnic graduate dead in Cross River and claiming another victim in Rivers
By Chinedu Oguh, Port Harcourt
The quiet community of Ekori in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State has been shaken by a deeply distressing tragedy after a violent cult clash claimed the life of 26-year-old Samuel Sampson Udo, a former Student Union Government (SUG) President of the Peace Institute of Management and Technology (Peace Poly) in Abak, Akwa Ibom State and leaving others seriously wounded.
Tentacle learnt that Udo was killed during the wake-keeping ceremony of his late father, a respected community leader in Ekori. And as such what was meant to be a solemn night of remembrance turned into a scene of chaos and bloodshed. What unfolded afterward has left the entire neighbourhood stunned and grieving.
The horrific killing has left the residents grappling with disbelief, sorrow and anger as the case appears to be yet another devastating eruption of cult clash.
Eye witnesses said the incident occurred at 2:00am on November 14, 2025 when a confrontation between rival cult gangs escalated into a deadly shootout. Udo was reportedly hit by bullets as he attempted to run for cover. Other victims were cut in the crossfire; including 29-year-old Miss Choice Ikenger, who sustained several gunshot injuries.
Udo’s mother and siblings have been left traumatized by the brutality of the killing.
His sister, Affiong Sampson descried the attack as inhumane, saying, “They shot my brother and other victims as if they were animals. This pain is too much, the hurt is too deep. The tears refuse to stop flowing. The loss is unspeakable, we cannot be consoled,” Affiong said.
Ikenger’s mother, Mrs. Silvia Ikenger said her daughter has been in “unbearable pain” adding, “We have suffered so much trying to keep our daughter alive, it is a nightmare.”
A youth leader in Ekori, Omini Ebri said the situation has left families terrified for the future of their children. According to him, the community “is living in a state of constant fear” and only urgent action from the government can break the cycle of cult and drug-related violence among the youth that continues to claim lives.
Deputy Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Igiri Ewa, said investigations are underway, noting, “We have several discreet operations ongoing to identify and apprehend the perpetrators of this dastardly act and justice will be served.”
In a related development, cult clash is said to be looming in Diobu axis of Port Harcourt, Rivers State following the beating of one Mr. Matthew to death by suspected senior members of a faction of Deybam cult groups at Odunezelane, Mile 3 Diobu, Port Harcourt on Friday, November 21, 2025.
Sources confirmed to Tentacle that the pregnant female lover of Mr. Matthew reported him to the leadership of the cult group that he (Matthew) allegedly belongs to and that he had concluded plans to sell their three year-old daughter.
Tentacle further gathered that persons suspected to be leaders of the cult group Matthew belongs to, came to the house and took him to their “barrack” where he (Matthew) was severally beaten as punishment for his misconduct.
The source again said that in the process Matthew collapsed and died, while the suspected senior members of the cult group he is said to belong to and the pregnant female lover ran away.
Following the development, combined team of police raided Odunzelane on Saturday, November 22, Tentacle further gathered.
However, as of press time it could not be independently verified how many suspects the police arrested in connection with the incident. But a source conversant with the working of the cult group disclosed that the incident may lead to a resurgence of intra-cult violence, which will distort the peace in Diobu area of Port Harcourt if not checked.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officers of Rivers State Police Command, a Superintendent of Police, SP Grace Iringe Koko, said she would get back, but did revert as of press time.
It would be recalled that Koko, who had on November 13, 2025 announced that the Command arrested two additional suspects linked to violent cult clashes in Diobu in May, 2025 and charged eight other suspects to court, described members of the group as blood suckers.
