• Residents desert area
Residents of Akalovo, Emekuku, Owerri North Council of Imo State are living in fears, while some others have deserted their community following a renewed suspected cult war at the weekend between rival groups.
Suspected hoodlums killed one person at the weekend, while his lifeless body was displayed on the road. Several others were equally injured in the attack.
This came on the heels of deadly attacks at different locations last week in Mmahu, Ohaji/ Egbema Council of the state, where seven persons were gruesomely murdered in their homes by a suspected rival cult group in masks and another Mgbala, Agwa in Oguta Council.
Those killed include Charles Mgbarahor, Funky Anane, Charity Neachukwu, Edeme Okoro, Isaac Ojenya, Ndubuisi Neabuisi and Juniour Ifeyinwoke.
A retired Chief Superintendent of Police, Christian Pkpatuma, was also brought out from his home in Mgbala, Agwa, Oguta Council, taken away by some hoodlums, who not only killed him, but later returned his headless body to his ancestral home.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), in the state, Michael Abattam, also confirmed the killing, assuring that the police in the area would take care of the situation.
A resident of the community, who pleaded anonymity, said: “The young man lying lifeless was slaughtered last night at Akalovo Emekuku, Owerri, in what looked like a cult war. We came out this morning and saw his body lying lifeless on the road. We had heard last night heavy noise by some young boys quarrelling aggressively among themselves. We were scared.
“The police division at Toronto Uratta, Owerri North Local Council, has been contacted but they are yet to respond. There is panic in the community as the area is said to be a den of cultists, who operate without hindrance.”
