Two suspected cult members were reportedly murdered in a fight in Awka, the Anambra State capital on Friday.
The clash took place around 11am at Ukwuoji Bus Stop, along Zik’s Avenue, Awka when some cultists were said to have invaded the area and shot into the air.
According to a local who refused to give his names, the about five hoodlums stormed the area in a tinted glass vehicle, shot into the air and and then shot their victims. He said they escaped immediately.
“We were all here when it happened. Immediately they invaded the area, gunshots started going up in the air, two people were shot and everyone scampered to safety; some other cultists escaped.”
The state Police spokesperson, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, didsaid he was yet to receive reports of killings in the clash, but agreed that there were shootings in the area.
“There is no information like the killing of anyone before me. But police operatives have intensified patrols within Awka following the sound of gunshots at Ukwuoji Bus Stop in Awka.
“Information gathered at the scene from eyewitnesses showed it was cult-related,” Ikenga said
The statement partly read, “The suspected robbers invaded the residence of Alhaji Gidado Muhammad Sani, at Arawa Quarters, shooting sporadically and robbing them of their valuable property. The robbers injured Sani’s security man, Mohammed Abdullahi, on his head, left hand, and back.
“On sighting the operatives, the armed robbers engaged them in a gun duel and one of the deadly robbers, Alias Albaru, was neutralised, while Adamu Usman, alias Bali, 22; Mustapha Abdullahi, alias Jammaye, 22; and Abdullahi Hussaini, alias Danbasi, 21, were arrested and six others on the run with suspected bullet wounds. Part of the exhibits robbed from the victims was recovered as effort is placed to arrest the fleeing suspects.”
