Gunmen kill four, burn vehicles in Anambra communities

 

Panic gripped residents of Ekwulobia and Oko communities in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State on Wednesday after armed hoodlums invaded the area, killing at least four people and setting vehicles ablaze.

 

The attack, which began around 8 am, saw the gunmen shoot indiscriminately while mounting positions on a newly constructed bridge connecting the two neighbouring towns.

 

Eyewitnesses said the attackers ambushed a joint patrol team comprising police, soldiers, and local vigilantes, leading to chaos as residents and commuters fled for safety.

 

One of the eyewitnesses, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, “The heavily armed hoodlums in their large number entered the community at about 8.00 am today (Wednesday) and mounted on the newly-built bridge at the centre of the town from where they first launched attacks on the joint security patrol team of the police and the army as well as members of the state Agunaechemba security.

 

“There was confusion everywhere, and people, most of them workers going to work and traders coming from their homes to open their shops, ran helter-skelter in search of safety. The shootings occurred for several minutes before the arrival of the security team, which engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel.

 

“About four persons were already recorded dead, and many others injured. Two people were shot while in a tricycle.”

 

Viral videos shared on social media showed people scampering for safety amid gunfire. At least one operational vehicle belonging to the Anambra State Vigilante Group was also torched.

 

While residents said four people were feared dead, the Anambra State Police Command confirmed two fatalities.

 

In a statement, the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the police-led joint security team responded swiftly and repelled the attackers.

He said, “Anambra police-led security force contained a shooting incident in the early hours of today July 9, 2025, at Oko and Ekwulobia flyover, Aguata Local Government Area.

 

“The team also demobilised one of the armed criminals, recovered one AK-47 rifle, one automatic pump action gun and four vehicles at the scene as the operatives sustained the onslaught operations in the area.

 

Vehicles recovered at the scene included a red Toyota Camry (registration ENU 58 SC), a custom-coloured Mercedes-Benz GLK without number plates, a golden Lexus 330 (ENU 815 AP), and an ash Toyota Highlander (GDD 517 RW).

 

“The Armed criminals unprovokedly shot indiscriminately under the Ekwulobia flyover. Consequently, in a swift response, the Joint Security Team engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel.

 

“Regrettably, the incident recorded the death of two unsuspecting members of the public and the burning of a brown Toyota Sienna vehicle allegedly belonging to the Anambra State Vigilante Group. Meanwhile, the bodies of the deceased have been recovered and deposited in the morgue,” Ikenga added.

He also confirmed a separate attempted attack on the Oko Divisional Police Headquarters, which was repelled by officers on duty.

 

“Given the above, adequate security measures have been put in place at the instance of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu.

 

“Residents are hereby urged to remain calm as efforts to ensure their safety continue unabated. Further development would be communicated,” he added.