Thirteen people suspected to be members of rival cult groups were gunned down between Easter Sunday and Monday in Awka, Anambra State.
On Easter Sunday, four persons were killed by suspected cultists who were said to have driven two SUVs with tinted glasses.
On Easter Monday, it was reported that nine others were gunned down while having an Easter celebration at a local bar.
Reports had it that a certain old or retired member of one of the groups was killed in neighbouring Amansea town which prompted the rival group to embark on a killing spree.
When contacted, the police spokesman in the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the command was not aware of the killings, adding that the one alleged to have been killed at Ekeh in Awka’s main market trending in a video was not true after investigation.
Meanwhile, the command said its men arrested a man carrying one AK-47 rifle in Awada in Idemili North LGA.
SP Tochukwu said, “Police officers in Anambra State over the Easter weekend arrested an adult male holding a bag in Awada, Idemili North LGA. The man, on sighting the police, took to his heels and was chased until he was caught and overpowered. When the bag was searched it was found to contain an AK-47 rifle with Breech Number 25008266. Search of a database showed that it was not among firearms on charge to Anambra State command.
“On interrogation, the suspect disclosed that the weapon was procured for a showdown with a rival cult group.”
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