The police said they have begun an intensive and aggressive manhunt for the killers of no fewer than nine persons, who invaded Ifite-Awka, near the gate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, on Thursday.
Reports said nobody has been able to ascertain the reason for the attack, although it was learnt that about six bodies were counted in the morning. The number of dead persons increased to about nine, as stray bullets also hit some people in their various corners, according to sources.
Eyewitnesses said the gun-slinging hoodlums, suspected to be cult members, stormed the area in an exotic car at about 9:15am and started shooting into the air in a bid to dispossess another person of his car.
However, other witnesses said the suspected cultists invaded the area and opened fire on some members of a rival cult group who were said to be hanging around the vicinity of the school gate. It was gathered that the development created panic and chaos in the area with stray bullets which fatally hit some passers-by.
One of the sources and a student of UNIZIK, who witnessed the scene said, “We were coming to the school this morning when we started hearing heavy gunshots. Over six persons were shot dead instantly near Witness Garden, Ifite Amansea Road. But the number of dead persons increased as it was found out that stray bullets also hit some people.
“The hoodlums invaded the area at about 9:30 am and started shooting at some persons suspected to be members of a cult group. They also pursued one person driving in a vehicle, but they did not get the person.
“One of our lecturers coming to school had to run back. She called me, saying she saw over seven lifeless bodies. Even the schoolchildren and other passers-by had to run back.”
The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the development, said operatives had cordoned off the area and calm had returned.
Ikenga said, “The police response team has taken over the scene of indiscriminate shooting today 24/10/2024 by 9:15 am at Ifite, behind Unizik gate, Awka, by suspected gunmen.
“Preliminary information showed that the armed men started shooting sporadically, and some bullets fatally hit four persons in the area and were rushed to the hospital for first aid by the police operatives.
“Also, some empty shells of bullets have been recovered at the scene. “Meanwhile, operations are ongoing in the area, and further details shall be communicated.” Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command said it had begun an investigation on some intercepted videos and voice notes on social media space threatening violence in the state.
The command said it was not taking those clips for granted and being saddled with the responsibility of maintaining law and order it would live up to its mandate of ensuring that no person or group of persons was allowed to infringe on the fundamental human rights of others.
The command in the past had arrested some persons involved in such acts of making videos and voice notes to cause tension and panic to distract the peace of Ndi Anambra. 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.
In the event of any request for security service, members of the public were advised to call the following phone numbers: the Command Control Room Number at *07039194332* or the Public Relations Officer PRO at *08039334002*. The ‘NPF Rescue Me App’ is also available for free download on both Android and Apple IOS, for Android and iPhone users, respectively.
