Cultist, Suspected Kidnapper Killed in Anambra

Cultist, Suspected Kidnapper Killed in Anambra

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Suspected members of secret cults engaged themselves in a gun duel yesterday in Awka, capital of Anambra State, leaving one dead.

The Sunday’s morning shooting, which happened at the popular Eke Awka market junction, reportedly scared away roadside traders and church goers.

It is not yet clear which cult groups were involved in the shoot-out in the area or the identity of the killed cultist. The Anambra State Police Command Spokesperson, DSP. Toochukwu Ikenga, was yet to respond to inquiries by THISDAY as at the time of filling this report.

Meanwhile, an angry mob has killed a 35 years old man after he allegedly abducted and tried to make away with a four-year old child in Okpuno area in Awka, Anambra State.

The man who was identified as Yusuf, from Shagamu in Ogun State, was said to have seized the little boy but was spotted by residents of the area, who promptly descended on him.

The boy, whose name was given as Chukwuka Sunday, was also rescued and reunited with his mother while the suspect, who was rescued and taken to hospital by police operatives, was said to have died.

Ikenga, who confirmed the incident, said: “The operatives rescued and reunited the four (4) years old child, named Chukwuka Sunday (m) with the mother while the suspect, simply identified as Yusuf (m) of about 35 years of age and of Shagamu, Ogun State, was also rescued from the angry mob and rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead.”

He said that police in the state have commenced an intensive patrol and called on residents of the state not to panic at the sound of sporadic gunshots, which would be part of the patrol.

He said: “The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP. Monday Kuryas, has mandated the Divisional Police Officers, Police Mobile Force personnel and other tactical teams to revamp public surveillance within the state.

“The CP, made this order as the police commenced intensive patrols with the military and other security agencies within the state on March 27, especially in Awka, the capital city of Anambra State.

“The police boss calls on Ndi Anambra not to panic as the operation, which led to a shoot-out in Awka metropolis, is in line with the command’s commitment to neutralise and smoke out bad elements in the state. Meanwhile some arrests have been made.”

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