Suspected cultists numbering about 30, yesterday, allegedly went on rampage, attacked and injured at least five persons at Obosi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, after which two of their members were arrested by the police.
Their first victim to be injured was the Chairman of Obosi Land Management Council, Mr. Ezeugo Zion, who they allegedly beat up and macheted his skull near in his own office. The rampaging cultists also wounded four other victims who were with Zion. They were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where they are currently responding to treatment.
Speaking to newsmen from his hospital bed, Zion said:
“Just because I am not their member and I was picked as the chairman of Obosi Land Management Council, the cultists numbering about 30, who have continued to terrorize our community, stormed my office to kill me and they succeeded in cutting my head with a machete.”
He accused a community leader of sponsoring the cultists, adding that two of them were arrested with the concerted effort of the local vigilante group led by Arthur Ilongwu and the Special Anti-Cult Squad, and taken to Enugwu-Ukwu. According to him:
“God was so kind, they could not kill me because my land committee members prevented those that were butchering me and four of them were equally injured in the process. I managed to called the police,” he disclosed.
He accused a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG, from the community and some wealthy people of sponsoring the cultists. Also speaking, one of the victims, Mr. Chukwudi Ilobi said, “the cult group members are from 22 fraternity. They hit me with a club on my mouth when I was defending our chairman.
“What they are planning is to frustrate Ofala festival of His Royal Highness, Igwe Chidubem Iweka and possibly dethrone him and install their member as Igwe.”