Twenty Feared Killed As Cultists Attack Funeral Procession

national | miscellaneous | news report Thursday July 04, 2002 12:49 by Cait

ABOUT 20 persons were feared killed with several others severely injured when alleged cultists attacked a funeral procession in Buguma, Asari Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State last weekend.

According to sources, the burial of one Thywill Briggs (26) in Buguma took a strange turn when the funeral procession left the deceased's mother's compound for his father's compound and was attacked by the alleged cultists.

The gang known as "Boy Kaka" had allegedly sprayed the procession with gunshots leading to extreme confusion.

As members of the procession ran for cover, the deceased's corpse was abandoned as members of "Boy Kaka" attacked and butchered to death those that wore black mourning attires.

It was gathered that the deceased, Thywill Briggs had had a quarrel with one Dawari who was his friend over a girlfriend.

Thywill Briggs had been stabbed with broken bottles in the ensuring scuffle and was confirmed dead at the Braithwaite Memorial Hospital where he was taken to for treatment.

It was further gathered that a drunk mourner had allegedly stabbed a member of the "Boy Kaka" gang to death during the wake keeping.

In retaliation, the "Boy Kaka" group had attacked the funeral procession of the slain Thywill Briggs.

The arrival of the police "Operation Fire For Fire" squad at the scene of the horror brought the mayhem under control.

Although it was gathered that some arrests were made, the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Iriuju Barisua said she had not been briefed on the crisis.