Violence erupted in Awka, Anambra State, on Sunday, with at least three feared dead as rival cult groups clashed. The incident, which occurred amidst traders and passersby at Eke Awka market, has sparked concerns among residents and authorities alike.
Eyewitnesses describe chaos as two tricycles chased on Ziks Avenue, Awka, before one halted in traffic, but details remain unclear. According to sources, the pursuit escalated into gunfire as individuals from the tricycles began exchanging shots.
During chaos, occupants of a stuck tricycle near Eke Awka market alighted, chasing each other, as described by one witness. During the pursuit, they dragged one individual out of a nearby mechanic workshop and fatally shot him.
Despite the gravity of the situation, the police authorities have denied any knowledge of fatalities. SP Tochukwu Ikenga of Anambra State Police Command stated there were no official reports of killings before the command.
This incident follows a similar clash last Easter Sunday, resulting in the reported deaths of at least six individuals. Rival cults attribute recurring violence to competition over revenue from tricycle and shuttle bus operations, including ticket and emblem sales.
The escalating cult clashes in Awka have become a cause for alarm among both law enforcement agencies and residents. Anambra’s Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, expressed deep concern during an interactive session with members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra State chapter, acknowledging the challenges posed by the persistent violence.
“We’ve arrested cultists, but influential people lobby for their release, allowing them to cause havoc again. This impunity cycle troubles deeply.” stated CP Adeoye, represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Akin Fakorede, during the session.
As authorities grapple with the resurgence of violence, concerted efforts are underway to address the root causes and restore peace in the affected areas. However, the recent clashes underscore the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to quell the cycle of violence and safeguard the lives of residents in Awka and beyond.
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