Many people including women and children are feared dead, following an attack by gunmen in Igbariam community, Anambra state, forcing government to impose curfew on six communities within the area of incident.
The communities are Igbariam, Aguleri, Umueri, Nteje, Awkuzu And Umunya where the curfew will start from 7pm to 6am daily from today (Monday).
According to eye witnesses, the hoodlums stormed the area along the Igbariam junction axis killing the people and cows.
The situation caused panic within the area which is largely inhabited by students of the Anambra State University, Igbariam.
Comrade A. Kizito, Student Union Governor, Igbariam Campus, said the incident which happened at about 2am Monday morningforced many students and residents to flee the area for fear of reprisal attack.
He, however, said security agencies had been contacted and a team of joint patrol teams were already on ground in the area.
Dr Christian Chukwueloka, Public Reactions officer of the University described the incident as unfortunate but noted that the school authority may not have much to do over the panic as the students reside outside the community.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, South East Zone, Gidado Sidiq who visited the scene said some unidentified number persons including women and children were slaughtered and many cows killed by unknown persons.
Sidiq while describing the incident as barbaric, allayed the fears of some people that there may be onslaught on the residents of the area.
Many students and residents on hearing about the incident started relocating from their hostels while some parents drove down to pick their wards for fear of attack.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Tochukwu Ikenga said the assailants said to be armed with machetes and other dangerous weapons invaded the village in their numbers and attacked the residents, resulting to the death of some yet to be identity persons.
He said that a crack team of police operatives led by an Assistant Commissioner of police have visited the scene and have successfully restored normalcy in the area.
Meanwhile, in a statement, the Secretary to Anambra state government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu said the curfew which begins today, Monday, 26th April, 2021, is between 7pm and 6am daily.
He advised Anambra residents of the state living in the communities to obey the curfew order, as security personnel are on strict orders to enforce the curfew.
