Sixteen persons have been shot dead, Wednesday, in Ula Upata community, Ahoada East local government area by suspected cultists, reports have said. The Rivers state Police command, however, said only eight deaths have been confirmed.

“The incident was more of cult-related heinous activities at Ula Upata community, Ahoada East local government area. Eight persons were killed,” Vanguard quoted the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Muhammad, to have said in a text message.

“Quick intervention by our men for stalled the situation from escalating. One of the suspected cultists was arrested and an English pump action gun recovered from him. Investigation is right now ongoing,” he said.

One of those killed in the attack was a Police Corporal and nine others in the community before they later moved to Ahoada West to kill another six persons, Vanguard reports, citing an eye witness, Mr Frank Alabi.

Alabi said he called the JTF which responded to his distress call arrested one of the cultists