Two persons have been killed in a renewed cult clash in Ebonyi state.
One other person is said to be battling for his life in the hospital.
One Nwabueze Emmanuel, 25 years-old-man, phone accessory dealer from Effium Community in Ohaukwu local government area of the State was on Tuesday shot by suspected cultists who stormed KpiriKpiri market in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
Blueprint gathered that there was a renewed cult clash between men of Axe confraternity and the Ayees in the state.
Sources said it started at a burial ceremony at Ngbo Community over the weekend when a man suspected to be the capon of the Axe men was shot, he was rushed to hospital and unfortunately on Monday he gave up the ghost since his death was announced, there have been series of shooting and killing in the state.
On Monday , one person was shot around 6pm at ahia ofu along Enugu Abakaliki high way , on Tuesday at about 11.30 am Emmanuel was shot in his shop at KpiriKpiri, another one was shot at hill top area and another one at the back of KpiriKpiri market but he is currently battling for survival in the hospital.
It was gathered that the suspected cultists who stormed KpiriKpiri with motorcycle worked into Emmanuel’s shop, after shooting on the air, the Emmanuel immediately asked his costumers to excuse them that he was the target, his costumers left and the hoodlums shot him in different parts of the body before fleeing from the scene.He was rushed to the hospital by the leaders of the market but he was later confirmed dead by a doctor after three hours.
Contacted, the police public relations officer Ebonyi State Command DSP Loveth Odah confirmed the report and appealed for calm in the State as police is investigating the matter.
She said the three victims are from Ohaukwu local government area.
“At 11 30 am yesterday ( Tuesday) , three motorcycles conveying three passengers each stormed KpiriKpiri market shouting cult language , Axe man, Ayeees , attacked and shot one Nwabueze Emmanuel 25 years old of Amaeze village in Effium Community of Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi State.
” the DPO of the area rushed to the scene, rushed the victim to hospital for treatment after about three hours the victim who seem to be responding to treatment gave up the ghost because the gun shots was too much one on the head, two on the chest and one in the stomach which means they actually came to kill.
The same thing happened at Ahia-ofu. People on bike came and shot one dead, at hill top junction the same thing. And another one beside KpiriKpiri area that is the fourth one. Among the four gun shots recorded only one is alive.
“It is strongly believe that it is a cult clash but we are investigating it because Ebonyi is not known for this. We are appealing, the community leaders, vigilante group should not relent they should go back and continue to assist the police to arrest the perpetrators as they did when police gun was snatched. This are their children and each of them is just 25 years , it is painful”. She said
