Two person were on Sunday evening killed in Awka the Anambra State capital, by gunmen suspected to be cultists and targeting members of rival groups.
The victims were gunned down separately in different locations in Awka in the evening, disrupting the serene atmosphere of the evening and sending residents in the various area scampering for safety.
The first incident happened at Amaenyi area of Awka, a densely populated area, where one man who is yet to be identify was said to have been shot, leading to a stampede that left many injured.
Sources said many residents of the area who were scampering to safety as a result of the pandemonium caused by the shooting sustained varying degrees of injury.
The second incident happened just hours later and was registered at SM Okeke Street, where a popular master of ceremonies and comedian in the town, Mr Aiza Nwosu fell victim to the men.
Sources said the assailants had monitored Nwosu and trailed him in a silver coloured Toyota Corolla, from his house down to SM Okeke Street before they attacked.
His death has caused panic in the city, triggering fear as a result of Awka’s history of cult related killings which sweeps through the city once in a while, taking in its strides lives. Though Nwosu was not known to be a cultist, sources said his son was a prominent member of on of the sects.
Meanwhile the Anambra State Police Command has reacted to the shooting saying it has intensified efforts to track down the perpetrators, while calling for support from eyewitnesses. The command in the press release by the state police command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga condemned the attacks.
The release read: “Information gathered so far reveals that three unidentified persons, travelling in a silver-coloured Toyota Corolla, with registration number yet to be ascertained, reportedly shot two persons at separate locations within Awka.
“Upon receipt of the distress information, Command operatives immediately mobilised patrol teams to the affected areas and commenced efforts to track down the assailants.”
“While one of the victims is yet to be identified, the second victim has been identified as Isaac Nwosu, male, also known as “Aiza. The operatives also recovered from the scenes the sum of ₦7,550, one Moniepoint ATM card and a pair of slippers.”
The release said the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, has strongly condemned the act and described it as unacceptable. It insisted that the CP has further directed the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka, for discreet and comprehensive investigation, while security operatives have intensified patrols, surveillance and intelligence gathering across Awka and adjoining areas,” the release read.
David-Chyddy Eleke
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