13 feared killed in suspected Anambra cult clashes

It was a festival of blood on Sunday in Nibo community and Nodu-Okpuno Village, both in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, when no fewer than 13 persons were killed in separate cult-related clashes across various sections of the communities.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the killings started when violence erupted and escalated round the community during the community’s New Yam Festival tagged, ‘Nibo Onwa Asaa festival’, taking place on Sunday.

An eyewitness in the community, Matthias Ugwoke, told our correspondent that the violence started when members of a rival cult group stormed a drinking bar where another suspected rival cult group was relaxing and immediately opened fire on them, killing about eight instantly.

The joint was said to be near Oye Nwochichi Market, by Nibo Old Maternity, not far from the venue of the New Yam festival.
This was further corroborated by a very gory video currently circulating on social media showing many dead lifeless bodies lying across various areas of the community.

A source who craved anonymity for fear of victimisation, said, “The hoodlums, numbering about five, stormed the bar in a brown coloured Lexus 300 Jeep and immediately opened fire on the people there, killing about eight people instantly.

“After carrying out their operation, they immediately zoomed off to Eke Nibo Market, where they also gunned down about five more people.
“Nibo is on fire. Several lifeless bodies have littered the roads. Some people were killed by stray bullets while some sustained varying degrees of injuries.

“The violence escalated this afternoon during the ‘Nibo Onwa Asaa’ festival and claimed other multiple casualties. We have counted over 13 dead bodies at various points of the road.”

He said everybody was running helter-skelter as gunshots were sounding everywhere, causing panic and chaos.
Also, in a separate incident, three persons were feared dead after gunmen, also suspected to be cultists, opened fire at Nodu Village, Okpuno, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

When our correspondent visited the Nibo community, which is not far from the Governor’s Lodge, at about 5:36 pm, he observed that everywhere was almost like a ghost town as people remained indoors.

The traders who were getting ready for business during the festival were seen hurriedly leaving the scene with their wares as some foods and drinks, that would be used for the festival littered the premises of the venue.

Confirming the developments when contacted on Sunday, the Anambra State Police Command Spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, called on witnesses to volunteer information for necessary action.
Ikenga, however, could not ascertain the actual casualty figure but added that police operatives had been deployed in the area.

He said, “The command is aware of a suspected cult-related clash today 20/10/2024 in Nibo, Awka South LGA. The Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, has ordered immediate deployment of additional operatives to the area for necessary action.

“Preliminary reports of the incidents are still sketchy as the command calls on the witnesses of this incident to volunteer information that will help to identify the perpetrators for possible arrest.

“Rest assured information sent in this regard shall be treated with utmost confidentiality. You can call the Command Control Room at *07039194332* or the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) at 08039334002.

“Further development shall be communicated, please.”