Suspected cultists unleashed violence in Ifite-Awka area near the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) gate in Anambra State, killing at least six people on Thursday morning.
Eyewitnesses reported that gunmen stormed the area around 9:30 a.m., opening fire on individuals believed to be members of a rival cult group, causing panic among students and residents.
According to one UNIZIK student who witnessed the incident, the attackers appeared to be targeting members of the rival cult gathered near Witness Garden on Ifite Amansea Road.
“Over six persons were shot dead near Witness Garden,” the student said.
“The hoodlums invaded the area and started shooting at some persons suspected to be members of a cult group.
One of our lecturers, who was on her way to school, turned back after seeing seven people lying dead,” the student continud.
The Anambra State Police Command confirmed the attack, with Police Public Relations Officer SP Tochukwu Ikenga stating that the police responded to reports of the shooting around 9:15 a.m.
“The police responding team has taken over the scene of indiscriminate shooting by suspected gunmen at Ifite, behind the UNIZIK gate.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the armed men, without provocation, began shooting sporadically, and some bullets fatally hit four individuals.
Police operatives rushed the victims to the hospital for treatment,” Ikenga said.
He added that empty bullet shells were recovered from the scene, and police operations are ongoing to track down the attackers.
Further updates are expected as investigations continue.
