CRIME NEWS

3 shot dead, 5 injured as rival cults clash in Abakaliki

By Peter Okutu

ABAKALIKI—NO fewer  than three persons were last week shot dead, while five others sustained gunshot wounds in different parts of their bodies as rival cult groups clashed in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
Those killed in the clash include 35-year-old-man and beer palour owner, Amaechi Ude an indigene of Enugu State but resident in Abakaliki where he was doing his business.
Others are Sunday Onwe of Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and a staff of Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, whose name could not be immediately ascertained.
Ude was killed in his beer palour at Isiuke lane, off Norom Street, Abakalik, while Onwe was shot at a drinking joint, identified as yori yori, located close to Ebonyi State School of Health Technology in Ngbo court.
Third victim shot thrice
The third victim was shot three times in the head at the Abakaliki Township Stadium where he had gone to play football.
The incidents happened simultaneously in different locations in the state.
Ude was sitting in his bar around 7:pm when two unidentified gunmen who operated on a motor bike shot him.
The incident forced customers to flee, while the victim was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.
Onwe, on the other hand, was at a birthday party with his friends at the yori yori joint when hoodlums invaded the area and shot him in the chest and he gave up the ghost instantly.
Chairman of Ohaukwu local government area, Barr. Clement Odaah, who confirmed the killing of Onwe, the younger brother of Ngbo Central Development Centre Coordinator, Ofobuike Onwe, said he had reported the matter to the police.
“The police is already investigating the matter and some persons have been arrested in connection with the killing.
“More persons will be arrested and  I am assuring the people that all the perpetrators will be brought to book,” he said.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP George Okafor, also confirmed the killing of Amechi Ude.
He said when the command got a distress call from Ude’s family over the incident, policemen were sent to the scene, adding that before they got there, the hoodlums had already fled.
He said efforts were on to arrest Ude’s killers.
The injured
Meanwhile, five young men, including one Nwatu Ikenna and Chukwuebuka Mbam ,were shot in different parts of their bodies.
Narrating his ordeal, one of the victims, Ikenna said he was going to his shop when he saw young men on mask who opened fire on him and shot him at the back.
He said a five-year-old boy whose mother sold beans cake near the scene, was hit by stray bullets.
The remains of the dead victims have been deposited in different mortuaries, while those wounded are currently receiving treatment in different hospitals in the state.