Scores of people were feared dead when suspected rival cultists clashed in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

The incident happened at a place close to Dike Park, near the Eke Awka Market and later escalated to the Obinagu village in Awka.

The number of casualties has not been ascertained, although it was gathered that several people lost their lives.

One of the persons hit by a stray bullet was said to be a staff of the Anambra State Judiciary.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Ikenga Tochukwu could however not respond to inquiries about the incident after several efforts were made for him to react.

Ikenga, however, issued a statement saying that the state Police command intercepted a gunman in Awada area of Onitsha and recovered one AK-47 Rifle.

The man, who was said to be holding a bag, took to his heels on sighting the Police, who chased him and eventually caught and overpowered him.

Ikenga said that when the bag was searched, the AK-47 Rifle with No. 25008266 was found, adding that search of database has shown that it was not among firearms belongingto Anambra State command.

He said that on interrogation, the suspect disclosed that the weapon was procured for a showdown with a rival cult group.

He said that the state Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, while commending the Police officers who made the recovery, has directed that the investigation be widened and deepened to bring to book all those connected with the arms trafficking, including an alleged financier abroad who provided funds for the purchase. (Vanguard)