Deadly Attack in Anambra: Gunmen Kill 4, Burn Vehicles in Broad Daylight

On Wednesday, a group of unidentified gunmen in huge numbers broke into the Ekwulobia and Oko towns in the Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, causing panic. They began shooting randomly, killing around four people and injuring numerous more.

The heavily armed men entered the village on Wednesday morning at around eight in the morning, according to community witnesses and videos that are circulating on social media and eye is keeping a watch on.

According to an eyewitness, they also set fire to a few more vehicles, as well as one of the security trucks that the local joint security team employed. The communities of Ekwulobia and Oko are adjacent to each other.

Although the cause of the incident is still unknown, locals reported that at least four people were killed and numerous others were injured, although police officials only reported two casualties.

"The heavily armed thugs in their large numbers entered the Ekwulobia community at about 8:00 am yesterday (Wednesday) and mounted on the newly-built bridge at the center 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," according to one of the eyewitnesses, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The majority of people, including those heading to work and traders arriving from their homes to open their businesses, fled frantically in search of protection because uncertainty prevailed everywhere. Before the security squad arrived and engaged the thugs in a gunfight, the shootings continued for a few minutes.

Approximately four people had already been reported deceased, while numerous others were hurt. Two individuals aboard a tricycle were shot.

Normalcy has returned to the area after the joint security task team took control at the Commissioner of Police's directive, according to state police spokesman SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who verified the situation.

Ikenga reported that a security car was set on fire and that two innocent bystanders were fatally shot during the event.

"A shooting incident at Oko and Ekwulobia flyover, Aguata Local Government Area, occurred in the early hours of yesterday, July 9, 2025, but was contained by the security force led by the Anambra State Police Command," he stated.

"As the operatives continued the onslaught operations in the area, the team also demobilized one of the armed criminals and recovered four vehicles, an automatic pump-action gun, and an AK-47 rifle at the scene." A crimson Toyota Camry with registration number ENU 58 SC, a custom-colored GLK Mercedes-Benz without a registration number, a golden Lexus 330 with registration number ENU 815 AP, and an ash Toyota Highlander with registration number GDD 517 RW are among the automobiles that were recovered.

"Unprovoked, the armed bandits shot randomly beneath the Ekwulobia flyover. As a result, the joint security force responded quickly and engaged the thugs in a heated gunfight.

Unfortunately, two innocent bystanders were killed in the incident, and a brown Toyota Sienna that the Anambra State Vigilante Group purportedly owned was set on fire. In the meantime, the deceased's bodies have been found and placed in the mortuary.

In another development, he said, an attack was witnessed at the Oko Divisional Police Headquarters, but the brave officers on duty repulsed the armed criminals' assault. He added that no casualties were reported as the joint security team of the attackers pursued them aggressively throughout the area.

In light of the aforementioned, Ikioye Orutugu, the Commissioner of Police, ordered the implementation of sufficient security measures.

As measures to guarantee their safety continue uninterrupted, residents are now advised to maintain their composure. We'll communicate any new developments," he continued.