Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
A suspected cultist was killed and another member of the group arrested when security operatives of Operation Crush confronted them in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.
Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who disclosed this during a press briefing on the outcome of the state Executive Council meeting on Monday, said the attack by cultists took place on Sunday evening.
He said that a resident at Imo Lane area of the metropolis was matcheted by cultists who fled the scene upon the arrival of Operation Crush team following a tip off by a concerned resident.
According to him, one of the fleeing cultists was gunned down when the security operatives released “a warning shot.”
He said another member of the gang was arrested and detained by the police who are now investigating the incident.
The Commissioner further said that the victim of the cultists’ attack was rushed to a hospital where efforts were being intensified to save his life.
He dismissed as untrue, insinuations in some quarters that the deceased was a bystander, accusing peddlers of the narrative as blackmailers.
A version of the narrative says a resident had a misunderstanding with his neighbour, and he invited the operatives of Operation Crush.
It was said that upon sighting the Operation Crush members the neighbour decided to flee the scene but was gunned down when a bullet fired by one of the operatives shattered his abdomen.
He was allegedly rushed to the hospital by sympathisers after the security operatives had left the scene.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Commander MacDonald Ubah (retd.), who was at the briefing, described the incident as “unfortunate.”
He said that Imo Lane is one of the bad spots in the city, adding that the arrested cult member had a firearm on him.
The Security Adviser said that the matter was under investigation by the police, adding that every truth would be unveiled at the end of the investigation.
He warned that criminals had “no hiding place anywhere in Abia,” while reassuring the readiness of the State Government to ensure the safety of residents.
Recall that pockets of criminal activities have been reported in parts of the state in the recent times, but Government has vowed to deal mercilessly with the perpetrators.
