It was a black Monday night on Jan. 10 in Ogbunike, Oyi Local Government Area (LGA), as eight persons were killed and no fewer than 20 injured by suspected gunmen.
It was gathered that the gunmen invaded the community around 8pm and started shooting sporadically and in the process, eight persons were killed while 20 sustained various degrees of injuries.
A source said the gunmen came in a Mercedes Benz car 200 series and stopped at a popular pub, known as “Shop Chyco’’ and shot one person while noe fewer than five persons sustained bullet injuries.
“We suspect someone popularly known as Bigy, from Ukalor Village, Ogbunike. Before the incident, his kindred denied him a shop for his business on grounds that he was an adopted son in his family. He got angry and swore he will retaliate.
“On arrival they visited the home of the man that denied him the shop. As they did not see him, they shot a motorist in the man’s compound.
“They also shot three persons; two boys and a woman at Osile Ogbunike, then stormed Ukalor, where they also shot other people,’’ said the source.
Another source noted that the community must sit up over the incessant insecurity situation in the town.
`It is important that a thorough investigation be conducted to get to the roots of this issue as random speculations will not lead us anywhere,’’ he said.
The President-General, Ogbunike Community, Mr Chigozie Ikegwuru, noted that the incident presented good grounds to thoroughly investigate and fish out the hoodlums.
The State’s Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga said in reaction: “the state’s Police Response teams are currently at Ifite, Ogbunike and environs following a shooting incident that took place on Jan. 10 at about 8pm.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that it is a cult- related clash involving two rival cult groups.
“The suspected cultists came in a Mercedes Benz 200 model and started shooting. As a result of indiscriminate shooting, two injured persons were rescued by the police teams within the area. The injured were hospitalised.’’
Ikenga said a mop up operation was ongoing in the area.
