Gunmen suspected to be members of the Neo-Black Movement cult, popularly known as Aye, over the weekend, went on a rampage in Ogidi community of Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, injuring many indigenes, and killing the President General of the community, Chief Ikwuka Okoye and one other unidentified person.
The attack has been linked to the killing of a known member of Aye, popularly known as Emma Amasco, aged 25 years.
Amasco, a cultist and petty robber, was said to have operated all through Monday and Tuesday in Onitsha, robbing unsuspecting persons of their phones, while on Wednesday, he took over 18 phones and laptops to Sir Emeka Offor Plaza in Onitsha to sell them off, before he was apprehended.
He was later brought back to Ogidi on the request of the traditional ruler and the now deceased President General, who had stamped their feet on the ground to expel cultism and violent crimes in the town.
Upon interrogation, Amasco was said to have confessed to having killed a total of 48 people since he began operation.
He was said to have also named some prominent people in the community whose killing he participated in.
He, however, died in circumstances that were not so clear, leading his members to vow revenge on the community.
Chief Ikwuka, who has been described as a popular leader in the town, was on Friday evening felled by the men. Details of how he was killed have, however, not been made known.
Meanwhile, police authorities in Anambra have confirmed his killing, vowing to go after the killers.
The Anambra State Police Command in a press release by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, commiserated with the community, reiterating the link between the murder of the President General and the recent capture and killing of a notorious cultist within the community, Emma Amasco.
The release said: “Following the report, police operatives swiftly took over the scene of the incident and commenced investigations. The Command is currently working with eyewitness accounts and other available intelligence to identify and arrest the perpetrators.
“The Anambra State Police Command assures members of the public that all efforts are being intensified to bring those responsible to justice. Residents are urged to remain calm and cooperate with the police as investigations continue.”
