3 die in Nsukka, as cultists clash

Jude Ossai, Enugu - 8.04.2008

RESIDENTS of Nsukka in Enugu State were, at the weekend, thrown into mourning as two groups of gangsters suspected to be cultists killed three persons during a clash.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that the victims were covered with white sand even as their blood stains were seen on the spot of the incident.

One of the victims, Olisa Ozioko, had his head severed. It was learnt that he was a photographer, who also operated a video coverage outfit somewhere at Obuechara junction in the town.

Reports from Nsukka said the head of the victim was on display at a junction opposite the Freedom Square at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). The assailants wrote a note indicating that the rest of the body could be found at Nru Junction.

It was further gathered that a written notice placed beside the head of the dead photographer had a warning that members of the public should beware of the Black Axe, a dreaded student secret cult group.

In another development, two persons were reported dead in a beer parlour at 2, Odobido Street, Odenigbo in the town, a few kilometers from the Nsukka campus of the UNN.

The two were killed some seven hours after attack on Ozioko and those who followed the unfolding events closely believed the later attack could have been carried out as a reprisal.

The remains of the beheaded victim were buried last Saturday at Obuechara village after the family had reportedly obtained police permit.

The development has jolted the university community and the insti-tution’s security outfit operated nervously through the weekend, closing one part of the double gate, thereby creating long traffic hold-up as they checked in-coming and out-going vehicles carefully.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Mike Abatam, said he was yet to get full details of the incidents and wanted more time before he could make comment on the matters.