Cult violence continued over the weekend in parts of Rivers State, with additional five people killed in Ikwerre axis.

Our correspondent gathered that three people lost their life at Akpani community in Ikwerre Local Government Area, while two others were murdered at Ibaa, in Emohua Local Government Area.

The victims of the Akpani clashes were crushed by a vehicle two days after the community leaders reportedly invoke the deity against the cultists, while the Ibaa incident involved two teenagers who were murdered in their apartments.

Following the development, many of the inhabitants of Ibaa have fled their homes to seek refuge in neighbouring Rumuji community, while those who had taken refuge at Obelle have been ordered to leave after three people were killed last week when the cult violence spread to the area.

The spokesman for the Rivers State Police Command, Nnmadi Omoni, said the command was yet to be briefed on the latest developments in the cult violence.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has scheduled by-election for Port Harcourt State Constituency Three on Saturday, 18th of August.

The election notice was announced in a statement signed by INEC Secretary, Augusta Ogakwe, which was dated 26th July.

A copy of the Press Release seen by our correspondent indicates that INEC took the decision following notification of the vacancy by the Rivers State House of Assembly.

It further disclosed that another by-election shall hold on the same day to fill the Takum One State Constituency Seat in the Taraba State House of Assembly.

The INEC Secretary, Augusta Ogagwe also said the Commission has approved a timetable and schedule of activities leading up to the by-elections in Rivers and Taraba states next month.

The Rivers State Police Command has paraded suspected criminals who were arrested in different parts of the state over the past one month.

The State Commissioner of Police, Zaki Ahmed told newsmen at the Command Headquarters in Port Harcourt that the arrests were mainly made by operatives of Federal-Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

CP Ahmed said those in custody include members of an armed robbery gang who were caught in their hideout around Ada-George area of Port Harcourt.

He said the F-SARS operatives also smashed a kidnap gang behind most incidents of abductions for ransom around Obio-Akpor and Port Harcourt local government areas.

Isaiah Gogo who is a resident of Port Harcourt has been remanded in prison custody for alleged assault and rape of a speech-impaired girl around Diobu area of Port Harcourt.

Twenty-five-year-old GOGO was arraigned before the Port Harcourt Chief Magistrate’s Court on a two-count charge over the alleged incident on 24th June, which involves a young girl who attends the same church with him.

However; the defence lawyer informed the court that the church where the accused and the allegedly assaulted girl worship has already intervened in a bid to settle the matter.

Following the development; Chief Magistrate F. N. Amanze ordered the remand of the suspect and referred his matter to the Director of Public Prosecution for advice.

Our correspondent Victor Ezeama reports that the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, is involved in the matter.

The Rivers State Chairman of FIDA, Anthonia Osademe told our correspondent outside the courtroom that the rate of sexual abuse of young girls in the state was becoming alarming.

Osademe therefore urged victims of abuse and concerned members of the public to speak out on against such actions.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesome Wike has announced the immediate takeover of Nyemoni Grammar School, Abonnema in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of the state.

Governor Wike who made the announcement during the commissioning of the newly reconstructed secondary school, which is being managed by the missionary, said the decision to take over the school was to remove the burden from the mission.

He also directed the Chairman of the Post Primary Schools Board to immediately post a principal and other staff to the school.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has dismissed claims that it was planning to freeze the bank accounts of the Rivers State Government.

The South-South Zonal Head of the EFCC, Nnaghe Obono-Itam, gave this indication while briefing newsmen at his office in Port Harcourt in response to comments purportedly made by Governor Nyesom Wike.

Nnaghe Obono-Itam, who is an Assistant Commissioner of Police, further disclosed that the EFCC has in the last five months secured thirteen convictions out of twenty-eight corruption cases it took to court.

Obono-Itam said the matters in court and the concluded ones form part of one hundred and sixty-six complaints that were received during the period under review.