IZUNNA OKAFOR
Barely five months after suspected cultists invaded and killed many at a burial ceremony in Ebenebe, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State; another gang of cultists stormed again and launched unimaginable attack in the community.
The cultists were said to have stormed the community on night Monday, during which they also visited palace of the Traditional Ruler of the community, Igwe Christopher Nnaegbune.
An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said the rampaging cultists were about 100 in number; and further revealed that they came with ogene (metal gong), which some of them were playing, while some others were executing their main mission, and also shooting sporadically as well.
According to the source, the hoodlums broke into the palace when no one agreed to open the gate for them; but left after a noisy while, as they did not see anyone outside.
Reports have it that the hoodlums had earlier visited the house of one Mr. Chukwujekwu Okoye, a Village Youth Leader in the community, that same night, in search of him (as they were overheard saying), and during which they vandalised many things, including aluminum doors, windows, chairs, generating set and other properties in the two buildings in the compound.
It was gathered that Mr. Okoye, who is the Obuno Village Chairman, had always used security men to chase away hoodlums from the community, just like the monarch, who has always given them tough time.
Narrating his experience that night, one of the family members, Mr. Festus Okoye, said he narrowly escaped death, as the hoodlums, on discovering that he was inside one of the rooms with his family, ordered them to come out.
He said: “Our life is in danger. When they forced our entrance gate open, they went round our compound, destroying all the aluminium glasses and doors to see if there were people inside any of the rooms”.
“It was in the process they discovered that I was inside with my wife and my child. They ordered us to come outside. But I pleaded with them. On hearing my voice, they said ‘Oh it’s the man of God, let us leave him.’ That was how they spared my family.”
Speaking from a hiding place, where he has been since the incident, Mr. Chukwujekwu Okoye said he had reported the matter to the Police, and called for government’s urgent intervention in the matter and in fighting crime in Ebenebe, as his life and that of his family are in danger because the hoodlums are still threatening to kill him.