By Okey Maduforo
It was a festival of blood on Anambra state this Sunday when about eleven suspected cultists were killed in rival clashes at Nibo Community in Awka South local government area while three suspected cultists were killed at Opkuno in Awka Capital City.
At about 1.30 pm this Sunday afternoon the New Yam Festival of the Nibo Community turned bloody and deadly when rival cult groups exchanged fire leading to the death of eight members on either side.
At Nodu village in Okpuno a similar episode plaid out when rival cult groups exchanged fire which led to the death of two suspected members.
Yet to be confirmed is that the clash allegedly started at Nodu village Okpuno and after the killing of three members one of the groups fled to Nibo possibly escaping from their rival but ran into members of the cult group they were fleeing from and gun shots and hell was let lose .
The New Yam Festival of Nibo Community known as Onwa Nasaa became violent as gun shots rented the air and people scampered for safety.
The number of casualties could not be confirmed at the moment but eye witness at the festival said that the number of those injured is so many .
Confirming the killings the Police Public Relations Officer SP Tochikwu Ikenga said.
“The Command is aware of a suspected cult-related clash today 20/10/2024 in Nibo, Awka South LG and the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam have 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. Be assured that 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” he said.
