A suspected cult attack that could have turned deadly was forestalled on Monday morning by operatives of the Nkpolu Divisional Police Headquarters in Mile 3, Diobu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Daily Sun gathered that the police team, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ogbuefi Henry King, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), responded swiftly to distress calls and disrupted the attack before the assailants could carry out their mission.

It was gathered that at about 7:30 a.m., no fewer than eight suspected cultists chased a man identified simply as Abraham, who operates a grinding business at the Bishop Okoye Street Market.

Sources said the suspected cultists, allegedly armed with machetes and a locally made pistol, caught up with the victim, pinned him to the ground and inflicted machete cuts on him before police officers arrived at the scene.

According to eyewitnesses, the suspects fled into the crowd immediately they sighted the police, abandoning the operation.

The victim, who sustained injuries to one of his ears and other parts of his body, also escaped from the scene.

Further findings indicated that the attack may not be unconnected with Abraham’s alleged refusal to pay an illegal levy, popularly referred to as “matching ground”, allegedly imposed by the suspected cultists.

The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, who confirmed the incident to journalists, said officers from the Nkpolu Police Division responded promptly and successfully foiled the attack.

She said: “Upon receipt of the information, officers from the Nkpolu Police Division immediately mobilised to the scene and thwarted the mission of the miscreants.

“Our men have taken over the area, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the perpetrators, establish contact with the victim, who also fled the scene, and ensure a thorough investigation and possible prosecution of those involved.”

The police spokesperson assured residents that the command remained committed to protecting lives and property and urged members of the public to provide useful information that could assist in apprehending the fleeing suspects. (The Sun)

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