By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Gunmen wearing facemasks on Saturday evening blocked and kidnapped two unidentified occupants of a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) at Ifite area of Anambra State.

Ifite, which is in close proximity to the back of Nnamdi Azikiwe University and a residential hub for students, has been a red light over the years, especially for cult killings.

Just last week, three persons who were said to be cultists were killed on Sunday, while one person was allegedly killed on Monday.

Saturday’s incident which was in a video that has already gone viral showed the hooded gunmen ordering the occupants of the vehicle out, and into their black Sienna vehicle.

Though the driver of the SUV had tried to reverse back, but stopped at the sight of two hooded men jumping off a blue Sienna car that double crossed him wielding guns and ordering him to stop.

A source in the area where the incident happened said the men shot into the air as they made away with the victims, while one of them also took the victim’s car.

Reacting to the incident, a resident of Awka, Mr Lawrence Ibemesi, regretted the situation, saying: “We don’t know what is happening in Awka any longer. Security people need to sit up because we can no longer understand this killings and kidnapping here and there.”

When contacted, the state Police Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the command has heard of the incident and also watched the video.

He said: “We are studying the video and also liaising with anyone who is an eyewitness to go after the kidnappers. We have also alerted our strategic teams at major flashpoints to be on the lookout.”

On what the command is doing with the increasing insecurity and recent cult related killings, Ikenga insisted the command was not aware of any recent cult killing in the state capital. He rather insisted that the reporter that reached him should come to him with proof.