Killers of the President General of Obosi Community, Ike Okolo would be arrested and made to face the full weight of the law, Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra state has said.
Okolo was reportedly shot dead at a petrol station on Tuesday, an incident the state government blamed on cult activities in the state.
Security agencies are still trying to fish out the killers, even as four other persons were shot dead the same day.
In a statement by the governor’s press secretary Christian Aburime, Soludo appealed to residents to go about their normal duties that the government is on top of the situation.
The statement reads, “The attention of Anambra State Government has been drawn to killings within the State as a consequence of cult-related war among rival cult groups in Okpuno, Ifite and Obosi communities.
“The State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR has condemned the cult-related war among rival groups and subsequent killings in Obosi and Okpuno in Idemili North and Awka South Council Areas respectively.
“In Obosi, the President General of the Community, Hon. Ike Okolo was reportedly shot dead in a petrol station on Monday, 2nd January, 2023, by gunmen, while in Obi Maduka’s compound within Nodu Town Square, Nodu Okpuno, gunmen killed four people identified as Onyiebo Okoye, Kenechukwu Okeke, Jude Ebenezar and Obinna Maduka.
‘Governor Soludo condemns these mindless killings in the strongest terms and has assured that the perpetrators will be apprehended and decisively dealt with, even if they have run out of town. He stressed that they will be hunted down to face the full wrath of the law.
“This festive season, Anambra has enjoyed the best Christmas ever in decades as it was traffic-free with a new system of traffic control put in place by the government during the festive season with Anambra Youth Volunteers and the State traffic management agency working 24 hours at all the critical points to control traffic.
“Monday, 2nd January that used to be observed as sit at home, witnessed massive outdoor activities, as the State bubbled with activities all over.
“Governor Soludo further reassured that the cult gangs that fought today will surely be tracked down and dealt with decisively in accordance with the law.
“He called on Ndi Anambra to go about their normal duties and enjoy the season as the challenges are isolated cases that will be nipped in the bud soon.”
The state has recorded many killings as one of the major flashpoints of the serious violence that has engulfed most part of the south east in the past few months.
Not a few blamed the spate of killings in the region on the secessionist group, Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
