Anambra: Many killed as gunmen unleash terror on Awka

• A lecturer, who claimed to have abruptly terminated his itinerary and turn back while en route to school, put the death toll at seven.

An unspecified number of persons have been killed in a deadly shooting incident by suspected cultists in Anambra State.

The incident happened on Thursday morning in Ifite Awka, an area in the State capital dominated mostly by students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

It’s gathered that the shooting happened close to the back gate of Unizik, Awka, not far away from Amansea Road.

A source familiar with the incident disclosed that the “Gunmen just shot a guy a few minutes ago at Ifite, Awka. He’s lying lifeless.”

According to DAILY POST, another eyewitness, a lecturer, who claimed to have abruptly terminated his itinerary and turn back while en route to school, put the death toll at seven.

Within Nigeria cannot immediately ascertain the number of dead persons from the skirmish but the State Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, who failed to confirm the incident rather said a police responding team has taken over the scene and further details will be communicated shortly.

In another press statement, Ikenga said the command was in possession if some videos and voice note of persons who planned to unleash violence on Awka.

He said: “Anambra State Police Command begins investigation on some intercepted videos and voice notes on social media space threatening violence in the state.

“The Police Command not taking those clips for granted and saddled with the responsibility of maintaining law and order shall live up to its mandate of ensuring that no person or group of persons is allowed to infringe on the fundamental human rights of others.

“Given the above, Police and Other Security Forces have intensified patrols, and improved security dominance and surveillance to enforce the law, maintain Public Order, Public Safety and other Support Services in the State.”

Thursday’s shooting is the second in as many days after at least 12 people were shot dead in a cult-related shooting in Nibo, a town close to Awka, on Sunday.