A total of 13 residents in Anambra state have been killed by suspected cultists in Nibo town, a city in the state capital, over cultist group clash.
The killings took place at the annual New Yam festival in Nibo community in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The suspects were reported to have invaded a drinking bar, near Oye Nwochichi Market, by Nibo Old Maternity, a close distance to the venue of the New Yam festival, and opened fire on the people having relaxation there, killing about eight persons instantly, before proceeding to another locality near Eke Nibo Market, where a good amount of casualties were recorded.
The location of the bloodshed is a community close to the Governor’s Lodge, housing the residence of the state governor, Chukwuma Soludo.
For a while now, Awka the Anambra state capital, and its environs have been flooded with cultists with clashes between rival groups reportedly killing over 20 people since Easter Sunday of this year, when the killings reportedly began.
Even with the affected communities being located in close proximity with the Governor’s Lodge and also the operational headquarters of the Anambra State Police Command, there has been repeated attacks by the unidentified hoodlums.
The hoodlums have continued to paint pictures of fear and panic on residents across the state capital and its environs.
The Nibo killings notwithstanding, records of gunmen leading to series of kidnappings, killings and creulsome destruction of lives and properties worth millions of naira in the state for the past few weeks have proven the need for the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
Various efforts and interventions by security agents and the state government, haven proven abortive as the hoodlums have continued to grow in notoriety, particularly in border communities and communities where their nefarious activities have wiped down economic and commercial activities as well as the peace of residents in the state.
Recent happenings have shown that kidnappers have intensified their evil activities in Anambra state, with the culprits extending their activities to government officials, priests, traditional rulers, businessmen, etc with significant ransoms paid for their delivery.
The South-East region, particularly Anambra State, has come under a series of attacks in the hands of these hoodlums masquerading in the guise of secessionist movement.
Daily, residents, especially at the border towns and agrarian communities, battle these miscreants who operate without any challenge from law enforcement agents.
According to a report s, a security group in the region known as South East Security Forum, these hoodlums have camps and “operational bases” in places such as Tango One and Two in Ihiala LGA, Mother Valley in Nnewi, Nnewi LGA, Burrow Pit Camp, Orsumoghu, Ogbunka Camp in Orumba South LGA. Others are Ogwuaniocha/Osomala in Ogbaru LGA, Uli/Lilu, Mbosi, Ihiala LGA, Nkwelle Ezunaka in Oyi LGA, Orsumogho-Ihitenansa through Ukpor camp and Ihiala camp.
While speaking to journalists, the Coordinator, SESF, Dr Clement Aniogwu, said, “However, despite the knowledge of the existence of these camps, the security agencies have failed to successfully take the onslaught to them, thereby subjecting the people to the mercy of these hoodlums, who operate under the guise of secessionist movement’’
“Research showed that most of these attacks were coordinately carried out from these camps. It is unpalatable that our security forces have not been able to dislodge them from these illegal camps. This is the reason we have always called for total overhauling of the security apparatus in Anambra.
“For instance, most times, before operatives of the joint security task force and other security agencies launch offensives against them at their camps, information would have reached the hoodlums and they would disperse and go into hiding before the security operatives would get there. People say it is because the hoodlums use charms. No, it is because of the information they were fed with by the insiders.
“There is need for a total overhaul of security apparatus and the adoption of strategic, intelligence and technology-driven approach to tackle this ugly menace that is fast becoming a cankerworm. Our security operatives should also look inward and fish out those collaborating with the hoodlums. Synergy with the locals is also needed to achieve this because these people know themselves.”
After assumption of office in March 2022, the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, made security one of his top priorities, and matched words with action in his inaugural speech, when he told the hoodlums masquerading under secessionist movement to come to quit their clandestine activities and to embrace dialogue to seek an end to the killings and pain being experienced by residents.
He told them that failure to embrace the peace initiative would leave the government without a choice but to take candid actions as their “agitations” had become “misplaced” and “criminalized.”
On September 30, the hoodlums murdered two police operatives on an investigative mission, in Uruagu, Nnewi North LGA..
Preliminary investigation and information revealed that the armed men started shooting sporadically on sighting the police operatives and threw an improvised explosive into their operational vehicle. Unfortunately, two of the operatives paid the supreme price while the vehicle caught fire.
Clerics and community leaders have not been spared, with some kidnapped, while some others were killed even after paying millions of naira as ransom to the kidnappers; only very few have been recorded to have returned home unharmed.
The state police spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed all these attacks, there has not been any evidence that the police have apprehended any of these criminals in recent times as he keeps assuring residents, “Investigations are ongoing and details will be communicated later.” And days rolled in two weeks and months and the attacks are forgotten. This has been the style of the police authorities in the state.
