Less than one week after gunmen suspected to be cultists killed about 16 people near Awka in Nibo community, during a traditional festival, seven more were on Thursday killed in the city.
A source said what could be described as a shooting spree happened in the morning at about 9:15am, leaving about seven persons dead.
One of the sources, a student, said the shooting happened in Ifite Awka, an area dominated mostly by students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, adding that the shooting might not be unconnected to cultism.
Another source said the shooting happened at Ifite, close to the back gate of Unizik, Awka, not far away from Wintess Garden Hotel, Ifite Amansea Road.
One of the sources said, “Gunmen just shot a guy a few minutes ago at Ifite, Awka. He’s lying lifeless.”
Another eyewitness, a lecturer, said she witnessed seven lifeless bodies in the area and was forced to abandon lectures and turn back while en route to school.
It is however not clear the actual number of victims involved in the shooting, but the State Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed that incident happened, and that a police response team had taken over the scene and further details will be communicated.
In another press statement, Ikenga said the command intercepted some videos and voice notes of persons who claimed they would unleash violence on Awka, and were working to ensure that it was thwarted.
“Anambra State Police Command begins investigation on some intercepted videos and voice notes on social media space threatening violence in the state.
“The Police Command not taking those clips for granted and saddled with the responsibility of maintaining law and order shall live up to its mandate of ensuring that no person or group of persons is allowed to infringe on the fundamental human rights of others.
“Given the above, Police and Other Security Forces have intensified patrols, and improved security dominance and surveillance to enforce the law, maintain Public Order, Public Safety and other Support Services in the State,” he said.
David-Chyddy Eleke
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