Persons suspected to be cultists on Tuesday evening killed a young man at UNIZIK temporary site junction in Awka, Anambra State.

Details of the killing is still sketchy, but OsunDailyNG learnt that the man whose name was given as Nwanayoeze was gunned down around tricycle park, UNIZIK Junction.

He was suspected to be a cultist, and his death has been linked to the ongoing cult war in Awka, which has claimed the lives of many young people, as rival cults target members of opposing groups.

On Easter Sunday, six persons were reportedly killed in the city as a result of cult related issues.

A week later, last Sunday, three people were also gunned down in the city, with one pursued in the full glare of residents and gunned down near a market.

Tuesday evening’s killing has also been linked to the ongoing war. Sources told OsunDailyNG that immediately Nwanayoeze was gunned down, and his assailants fled, his cult members quickly took away his corpse to avoid security agencies confiscating it.

Traders around UNIZIK Junction confirmed that Nwanayoeze was a very prominent youth in the entire area, and is feared by many people, as he also had capacity to make trouble, but was never suspected to be a cultist.

Police authorities in Anambra State could not confirm the incident.

Police public relations officer SP Tochukwu Ikenga said: “The command is aware of unconfirmed news of the cult-related killing of a man popularly known as Nwanayoeze today in Awka.

“Our Operatives were immediately drafted to the scene and there was no trace of such. Meanwhile, we are working with the residents of the area to ascertain what happened. Also, police patrols have been intensified in Awka.”