Gunmen kill 16 in Anambra, Kaduna

… We’re trailing culprits – Police

AT LEAST four persons were killed while many were injured in Eziani Village in Ihiala community of Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State, by gunmen who invaded the area on Tuesday.

The victims comprised three men and a pregnant woman who are all indigenes of the town who were not lucky as some others that sustained various degrees of injury as they fled the gunmen’s bullet rain.
A source in the community said the bandits swooped on Eziani in broad daylight armed with AK-47 assault rifle and started shooting sporadically resulting in stampede as people ran for dear life without knowing where to head for safety.

According to the source, nobody could challenge the invaders as they paraded the community in three-car convoy, shooting and barking out their supremacy before driving away to unknown destination.

Confirming the attack, spokesperson of Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said bodies of the victims had been deposited at a hospital mortuary while manhunt has been launched by a joint military and police anti-terrorism squad to comb out bandits behind the mayhem.

In a related development, bandits have killed over 16 persons in a raid on four communities in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. were killed during an attack on three other communities, Unguwar Romi, Tudun Wada and Rigachikin.

All the attacks occurred yesterday morning while people were going for their first prayers in mosques.
While at least six worshipers were killed in a mosque in Unguwar Mai Awo Village yesterday morning, about 10 persons died during an attack on three other communities, Unguwar Romi, Tudun Wada and Rigachikin.

No group had claimed responsibility nor was any reason given for the attack as residents of Eziachi wonder what could have caused such deadly attack on their community.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Kaduna State Police Command, Mohammed Jalige, said he was yet to receive official account of the incident.