A 100-level female student at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State, was killed by a stray bullet fired by some yet-to-be-identified hoodlums who are thought to be cultists.
In Ifite Awka, near the well-known Miracle Junction, the incident reportedly occurred late on Thursday.
According to local witnesses, the incident happened as the thugs were pursuing and shooting at an unidentified tricycle driver when they missed and shot a student who was crossing the street instead.
The deceased, known only as Uche, was reportedly in the medical lab department of the facility when the bullet struck her as she was walking to the market.
The source stated, “This deceased was a 100-level student of the Faculty of Health Science; she was killed on Thursday evening by a stray bullet shot by suspected cultists who were pursuing a tricycle driver at the well-known Miracle Junction.
The tricycle driver was also shot; he pretended to be dead, but surprisingly, he eventually got to his feet and managed to flee after his assailants had gone away believing he was dead. “.
According to reports, the deceased’s body was left at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital in Amaku Awka.
When reached, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, a spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, confirmed the incident.
Ikenga stated that patrol and surveillance have increased in the area and urged any witnesses to come forward so that the police can receive any pertinent information that will aid the Command in its investigation.
He said, “It is very unfortunate, preliminary information revealed that the incident is cult-related and we are already working with eyewitnesses to identify the perpetrators and possibly arrest them.
“Meanwhile, police operational positioning has been improved within Awka and patrols intensified.
“The command would not relent in waging war against cultism and other forms of crimes in the state, recently we just remanded 33 suspects in a cult-related incident. We also urge the residents of the State to always alert the police (through the Command’s control room number: 07039194332).”
