Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Fear has gripped residents of Awka, Anambra State capital, following renewed hostilities between rival cult groups in Awka city.
Awka, a few years back, was a theatre of cult killings as barely a day would pass without news of cultists killing each other at different locations in the town.
Recent events may have marked the return of cult clashes and killings in Awka as three persons were reportedly killed on Sunday, barely one week after about six persons were gunned down at different locations during Easter.
Ikengaonline learned that the recent clash was a result of the struggle for control of revenue accruing from the tricycle and shuttle bus operators, through tickets, emblems, and others.
Though the locations of two of the three attacks were not made known, an eyewitness said that one of the attacks happened in the full glare of traders and passersby at Eke Awka market.
“Two tricycles were driving recklessly along Ziks Avenue at Eke Awka. They were pursuing themselves. At around Eke Awka market, the tricycle at the front got stuck in the traffic, and one boy inside it alighted and started running.
“Two boys in the tricycle behind also jumped down and pursued him. He ran towards Parkers area along Ziks Avenue, and diverted onto a road by the right, into a mechanic workshop.
“The boys pursued him into the place, dragged him out, and shot him to death. The incident caused pandemonium, and people were just running in all directions. For me, I didn’t even know I could run that fast,” the source said.
Police authorities at the State Police Command have however denied knowledge of any killing on Sunday.
The Spokesperson of the command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said that there was no such information before the command.
