The Rivers State Police Command has begun an investigation into the death of a 300-level undergraduate of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, identified as Julius Okpor, in a suspected cult clash between rival gangs in Rumuolemeni community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
It was gathered that the latest incident might be an offshoot of a cult clash between suspected members of the Klu-Klux-Klan and rival Vikings gang in one of the higher institutions in the state, which occurred in the Mile 2 Diobu area of Port Harcourt last week.
Investigations revealed that the gang war might be spreading to other universities and their environs.
Recall that last Thursday, the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe Koko, had confirmed the arrest of three students suspected to be cultists with the recovery of an English-made revolver, one live ammunition, three expended ammunition at the Azikiwe Street in Mile 2, Diobu, following a clash between rival cult groups.
Meanwhile, the state police command said the death of Julius Okpor was cult related, pointing out that it had launched a full-scale investigation into the incident.
The spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement on Sunday, said operatives raced to the scene immediately they received news of the shooting and rushed the 300-level student to the hospital, where the medical personnel on duty confirmed him dead.
The statement titled, Suspected cult-related killing in Rumuolumeni: Police commence investigation reads, The Rivers State Police Command is currently investigating a suspected cult-related incident that resulted in the death of a student in Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt.
On Saturday, July 20, 2025, at about 11:30 am, a report was received at the Rumuolumeni Police Station that one Julius Okpor, a 300-level student of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education and an indigene of Okposi in Ogba/Egbema Local Government Area, was allegedly shot by members of a rival cult group.
The tragic incident occurred around Cecilia Road, Rumuolumeni. Police operatives immediately visited the scene and the victim was rushed to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, where he was later confirmed dead by medical personnel.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the attack may be connected to ongoing rival cult activities. The Rivers State Police Command has launched a full-scale investigation to apprehend those responsible and bring them to justice.
According to the statement, the state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, assured the public that the command would clamp down on cultists wherever they are and restore peace in the area.
Adepoju called on residents to remain calm and cooperate with the police by providing credible information that could assist in the ongoing investigation, as well as to notify the police about suspicious movements and activities in their neighbourhood for prompt action.
