Three Die As Cults Clash Over Ticketing in Cross River [Graphic Photo]

No fewer than three people have died following bloody clashes between two rival cults, identified as Maphite and Vikings.

The groups were reportedly fighting over the control of ticket issuance to tricycle operators in Calabar, Cross River State.

PUNCH Metro learnt on Thursday that trouble started at about 1pm on Wednesday when a key figure in the Vikings, Emmanuel Actor, was trailed and murdered by the rival Maphite group on Palm Street in the Calabar South area.

It was learnt that Actor, who allegedly controlled the issuance of tickets to commercial tricycle operators along Nelson Mandela Street, went to an area controlled by the rival group on Egerton Street and stabbed a key opponent in an attempt to expand his territory.

The Maphite group was said to have immediately regrouped and trailed Actor to Palm Street where he was brought out from his tricycle and hacked to death.

The group reportedly started shooting sporadically along major business routes in Calabar South, which forced traders to shut down business activities.

It was gathered that another Vikings member was killed on Etta-Agbor Road, while the clash, which continued on Thursday, also claimed the life of another unidentified cultist on Richard Henshaw Street by Edibe-Edibe Road.

An eyewitness, Mr. Okereke Mong, said the cultists on Wednesday terrorised Calabar-South for more than four hours without interference from any security agencies.

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