Nine persons have been confirmed killed by gunmen during a Monday attack that occurred in an area known as Modiyam Umaru camp in Awkuzu, Oyi local government area of Anambra State.
The area is close to many hostels housing students of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam campus.
Although the Anambra police command spokesman, Mr Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed that nine persons were killed, the Chairman of Miyetti Allah in the South-East, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki said that the casualty figure was 19.
It was learnt that 23 cows were killed in the attack carried out by yet-to-be-identified gunmen, who shot sporadically to scare the students away.
The attack is said to have caused pandemonium in Awkuzu and Igbariam communities, with many students and residents fleeing out of fear.
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Confirming the attack, Ikenga quoted the state’s Police Commissioner, Monday Kuryas as urging residents to remain calm.
He added that the force has swung into action to unravel the circumstances that led to the deadly attack.
“The Commissioner has ordered the immediate deployment of the command’s operational and intelligence assets to identify and apprehend the unknown armed men, who violently attacked Ukpomachi Village, Awkuzu in Oyi LGA of the state in the early hours of 26th, April 2021.
“Meanwhile, a crack team of police operatives of the command led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, had visited the scene and conducted on- the- spot-assessment of the incident In the meantime, the command has successfully restored normalcy in the area,” Ikenga said in a statement.