At least one person was killed at Awgbu, an agrarian community in Orumba North local government area of Anambra state as hoodlums invaded and set a popular Eke Awgbu market on fire.
Blueprint learnt that the attack which happened around 6:00pm on Thursday also left goods worth millions of Naira, including motorcycles and cars burnt, even as some residents and passers-by sustained varying degrees of injury.
An eyewitness, who simply identified herself as Ms. Ifeyinwa, said she was at the market when the hoodlums came shooting into the air before pouring a liquid substance suspected to be petrol round and lit it.
The source added that the hoodlums also killed two local vigilantes providing security at the market before vanishing from the scene.
A viral video showed that one security man with a locally made gun was killed during the unrest even as the missions and destinations of the hoodlums remain unknown.
However, a community leader, who pleaded for anonymity, told Blueprint that they suspected cult groups or men on a revenge mission from undisclosed neighbouring communities.
He said, “Two people from neighbouring communities were killed in jungle justice at Awgbu on Wednesday. Two of the deceased were simply identified as Akusinachi and Tunis. They were killed by an angry mob on Wednesday. I am not so sure why they were murdered.
“But I heard people saying they stole from another community close to Awgbu, but they were caught in Awgbu when their motorcycle was knocked down at the community while they were trying to escape. Angry mobs burnt them alive immediately. So, we are suspecting that those who attacked Awgbu might have connections to the deceased because they died on Wednesday, while they attacked us on Thursday.”
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Anambra state Police Command, SP. Ikenga Tochukwu, disclosed that one person died in the attack while the Command has already restored normalcy.
Tochukwu said, “Following information on sporadic gunshot sounds and fire incidents in the Awgbu community, Orumba North, the joint security force has been deployed to restore law and order.
“Preliminary assessments by the operatives show that no less than 20 shops were affected by the fire while three people who sustained gunshot injuries were immediately rushed to a hospital and one of the victims was later confirmed dead by a doctor. The situation is being monitored and efforts are already in place to arrest the perpetrators; further details shall be communicated, please.”
