By Ikeugonna Eleke
No fewer than five persons suspected to be members of various cult groups were on Friday shot dead by members of rival cult groups.
The incident happened in Ogidi and Ogbunike communities of Idemili-North and Oyi Local Government Areas respectively, both in Anambra State.
Although the cause of the clash was not immediately ascertained, Fides gathered that the clash was between members of the Vikings Confraternity and another undisclosed cult group.
The identities of those who were shot as at the time of filing this report could not be ascertained or released by the Anambra State Police Command.
But the spokesperson of the command, SP Haruna Mohammed, confirmed the killings, even though he put the number of the dead at three persons; all male adults.
Mohammed disclosed that about three persons were shot and fatally wounded and were also confirmed dead by medical personnel at the hospital on arrival.
‘It was a cult clash. They equally shot two others at Ogidi. Police patrol teams rushed to the scene and took the victims to Iyienu Hospital for medical attention but were certified dead on arrival.
‘Meanwhile, the Police are intensifying efforts to apprehend perpetrators in order to bring them to justice,’ Mohammed assured.
However, sources around the communities insisted that about five persons were killed during the clash.