Death tolls arising from suspected rival cult groups have continued to rise as persons suspected to be cultists late on Tuesday killed a middle-aged at the UNIZIK temporary site junction in Awka, Anambra State capital.
Although the details of the killing were still sketchy, it was gathered that the man whose name was given as “Nwanayoeze” by residents around the area, was shot dead around the Tricycle Park, UNIZIK Junction.
A source and a trader around the area said, “The assailants fled immediately after gunning down the young man. It was later that his cult members quickly arrived at the scene and took away his corpse to avoid security agencies confiscating it.”
Traders around the UNIZIK Junction confirmed that the victim was a very prominent youth in the entire area and is feared by many people.
The ongoing cult war around Awka environs has claimed many lives since last Sunday, which happened to be Easter as rival cult groups have continued to target members of opposing groups.
Residents in the area also said the rising cult clashes are fuelled by the struggle for revenue control from the tricycle and shuttle bus operators through tickets, emblems, and others.
On Easter Sunday, six persons were said to have been killed in the city as a result of cult-related issues.
Also, last Sunday, three people were reportedly gunned down in the city, a situation that has fuelled tension around the area.
When contacted on the Tuesday incident, the state police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said, “The command is aware of the unconfirmed news of the cult-related killing of a man popularly known as ‘Nwanayoeze’ today Awka.
“Our operatives were immediately drafted to the scene, and there was no trace of such. Meanwhile, we are working with the residents of the area to ascertain what happened.
“Also, the police patrol has been intensified in Awka.”
