About 24 hours after 16 suspected cult members were killed by rival members in Nibo Community in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, the area has become a ghost town as residents fled and stores and business premises closed down for fear of reprisal killings. Similarly the Joint Task Force on Security JTF made up of the police, Army, Civil Defense and Directorate of State Security (DSS) has taken over security operations in Nibo town.

According to the Commission- er for Homeland Matters, Chief Chikodi Anarah, security has been beefed up in the community along with the members of the Anambra Vigilante Services (AVS) to fish out perpetrators of the crime.

At the market square and major flash points in the area, security operatives have taken control and useful information is being gathered which according to Anarah cannot be disclosed to the public in order not to disturb ongoing investigations.

At the Ekeh Nibo Market, commercial activities are at low key as traders did not fully open for business for the same apprehension of further killing.

A market woman; who would not mention her name told reporters said that the town has never seen an incident of the nature, adding that most young men in the town have fled their homes.

?This is bad, because we have not seen a thing like this before in Nibo and most young men have left the town to unknown destinations. ?We are living in fear because we don?t know what would happen next in our town and you can see that no shop is opened here? she said.

Transporters operate skeletally and cost of transportation into the hinter lands of Nibo Community has increased due to the Sunday killings. The traditional ruler of Nibo Community, Igwe MC Ngene, was said to be indisposed hence could not speak on the incident. At the early hours of yesterday, Governor Charles Soludo paid a visit to Nibo Community.

Speaking at Eke Market during his routine monitoring of Monday activities across the state, Governor Soludo vowed to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act and go against cultism in the state.

While asking the people to go about their lawful duties, the Gov- ernor emphasised that no matter where the perpetrators hide, they will be brought out for sanctioning. He assured the people of their safety and general wellbeing. (New Telegraph)

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