Two suspected cult members were on Friday feared killed during a fight in Awka, the Anambra State capital.
It was gathered that the incident took place around 11am at Ukwuoji Bus Stop, along Zik’s Avenue, Awka.
While the reason for the attack has yet to be fully ascertained by City Round, some cultists were said to have invaded the area and shot into the air.
Their rivals were said to have retaliated as residents fled for their lives.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said, “The hoodlums numbering about five invaded the area in a tinted glass vehicle and started shooting into the air and in the process, shot their victims and thereafter escaped.
“We were all here when it happened. Immediately they invaded the area, gunshots started going up in the air, two people were shot and everyone scampered to safety; some other cultists escaped.”
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, did not confirm any death but admitted that there were shootings in the area.
“There is no information like the killing of anyone before me. But police operatives have intensified patrols within Awka following the sound of gunshots at Ukwuoji Bus Stop in Awka.
“Information gathered at the scene from eyewitnesses showed it was cult-related,” Ikenga added
The statement partly read, “The suspected robbers invaded the residence of Alhaji Gidado Muhammad Sani, at Arawa Quarters, shooting sporadically and robbing them of their valuable property. The robbers injured Sani’s security man, Mohammed Abdullahi, on his head, left hand, and back.
“On sighting the operatives, the armed robbers engaged them in a gun duel and one of the deadly robbers, Alias Albaru, was neutralised, while Adamu Usman, alias Bali, 22; Mustapha Abdullahi, alias Jammaye, 22; and Abdullahi Hussaini, alias Danbasi, 21, were arrested and six others on the run with suspected bullet wounds. Part of the exhibits robbed from the victims was recovered as effort is placed to arrest the fleeing suspects.”
