By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Anambra State Police Command on Friday dismissed the recent killing of seven Northern youths in the state capital as having no religious of ethnic colouration.

Gunmen on Thursday shot and killed the youths after they were allegedly disrupted why chasing the occupant of another vehicle which they intended to abduct in Ifite-Awka area of the state.

On the heels of this, many have described it as a targeted killing, thereby increasing fear that they may be a reprisal attacks.

Already, a video circulating on social media showed some northerners protesting the killing of their kinsmen.

However, a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said that preliminary information revealed that the armed men started shooting sporadically in an attempt to escape when Police were alerted of their evil plan in the area.

The statement reads: ?Anambra State Police command today 25/10/2024 intercepted a protest video on the unfortunate incident that happened at Ifite Awka yesterday 24/10/2024 that recorded the murder of five persons, and three others seriously injured.

?We wish to state that it is not targeted to any ethnic or religious group.

?To set the records straight, preliminary information reveals that the armed men started shooting sporadically in an attempt to escape when Police were alerted of their evil plan in the area.

?The Command not wanting to join issues with anyone or group remains committed to the ongoing operational patrols, improved security dominance and surveillance targeted to enhance safety and nip to the board of such or any related incident in the State.

?While we commiserate with the families and friends of the victims assure that unlike other incidents recorded in the past and some of the miscreants involved were arrested and justice served, will not rest until the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to book."