Four cultists were killed by rival cult groups in the Umuka community, Nawfia in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The suspected rival cultists clashed on Sunday resulting in the death of four cultists.
Our correspondent gathered from eyewitnesses and some villagers on Monday that the victims were known for their nefarious activities and were always in rivalry with another cult group in the area.
The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the development, on Monday, also said operations were ongoing in the area for the possible arrest of the armed men.
He said, “Police operatives attached to Nimo Police upon arriving at the scene found four lifeless bodies of young men in a pool of blood with suspected multiple gunshot injuries lying on the road.
“The victims were confirmed dead by a doctor on duty and have been deposited at the morgue.
“They were later identified as one Ebuka Nwaonkwube Ekenta of Mmimi village Nawfia; Nnatuanya Junior a.k.a Starboy of Mmimi village, Nawfia; Aniemena Osama of Umuariam Village and one Ahmed Auwal.”
Similarly, the Anambra State Police Command said its operatives foiled the abduction/kidnapping plan of a foreigner by armed hoodlums, suspected to be members of a secessionist group.
A statement on Monday by the state police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed that the incident happened in Ogbunka community in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Sunday.
Ikenga said the victim was rescued after the police engaged the hoodlums in a gun battle and exchange of gunfire that lasted for several minutes.
He added that two police officers, who sustained bullet wounds during the incident are currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.
He said, “Police operatives in the morning of 6/10/2024 resisted the abduction/kidnapping plan of a foreigner by suspected armed secessionist members in Ogbunka village.
“The operatives courageously engaged the hoodlums in a gun battle and saved the VIP. But unfortunately, during the gun duel, two police operatives who were hit by bullets escaped with the foreigner. They are stable and are currently receiving treatment in a hospital.
“Meanwhile, operations are ongoing in the area for the possible arrest of the armed men.”
Ikenga added that in a similar development, the police operatives attached to the Nimo Police Station responded to a distress call at about 8:25 pm on Sunday of a suspected cult clash at Umuka, Nawfia in Njikoka LGA of the state.
He said, “The operatives, upon arriving at the scene, found four lifeless bodies of young men in a pool of blood with suspected multiple gunshot injuries lying on the road.
“The victims were confirmed dead by a doctor on duty and have been deposited at the morgue.
“They were later identified as one Ebuka Nwaonkwube Ekenta of Mmimi village Nawfia, Nnatuanya Junior a.k.a. Starboy of Mmimi village, Nawfia, Aniemena a.k.a Osama of Umuariam Village and one Ahmed Auwal.
“Information from eyewitnesses and some villagers revealed that the victims were known for their nefarious activities and were always in rivalry with another cult group in the area.
“Furthermore, joint patrol with operatives of the Special Anit-Cultism Squad has been intensified in the area.”
Ikenga also disclosed that the Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Nnaghe Obono Itam, has ordered immediate investigations into the gruesome murder of a 17-year-old girl suspected of being used for ritual purpose.
According to him, the girl’s lifeless body was found in a bush at Omasi village on Sunday at about 4:25 pm and later identified as one Chinasa Adigwe from Umueje village and her private parts were cut off in a bush at Omasi Village before the police were alerted.
“The body has been recovered and deposited in a morgue.
“The CP, while condoling with the family, friends and community of the deceased, stated that the police would do everything possible to make sure that those behind the barbaric act are arrested and justice served.
“Further development shall be communicated, Please,” Ikenga added.
