By Cajetan Mmuta
A bloody clash between suspected Fulani herdsmen and residents living behind Anambra State University, Igbariam Campus has left more than nine persons dead in the state.

The clash was said to have erupted following a disagreement between the cattle rustlers and villagers of the Ukpomachi in Awkuzu in the Oyi local government area of the state.

The Ukpomachi village shares a common boundary with Igbariam, the host community of the university.

Casualties of those murdered in cold blood as at the time of this report occur on both sides in the early morning on Monday.

Several cows were also slaughtered during the melee.

Among the dead were adults and children caught in the middle of a fierce violent clash.

Many residents including students of the university had fled the troubled spot for safety even as the institution was quickly closed.

Social and economic activities were abruptly brought to a halt following the clash even as parents were seen hurriedly taking their children away from the school.

Operatives of the anti-riot and intelligence squads were quickly drafted to the troubled scene to restore law and order.

Police Public Relations Officer of the state command DSP Ikenga Tochukwu in a statement said the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Monday Bala Kuryas had ordered the immediate deployment of the Command’s Operational and Intelligence officers to the area to identify and apprehend the unknown armed men, who violently attacked Ukpomachi Village in Awkuzu town.

Meanwhile, a crack team of Police Operatives of the Command, led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, have visited the scene and conducted an on-spot-the assessment of the incidence and have successfully restored normalcy in the area.

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He stated that adequate security has been put in placed to forestall further occurrences.

According to the command, the assailants said to be armed with machetes and other dangerous weapons,  invaded the village in their numbers and attacked the residents, resulting in the death of nine persons.

Identities of the dead and wounded are not yet known.

Many buildings were destroyed while several livestock were lost in the mayhem.

The police comma d while reassuring Ndi Anambra, particularly people of the Community, of its resolve to get to the root of the incidence, has called on the people to remain calm and volunteer useful information that would enable the police and other Security agencies to collaboratively handle and bring the situation to a logical conclusion.