AWKA, Nigeria (BN24) — Panic gripped two communities in Nigeria’s southeastern Anambra State on Wednesday as dozens of unidentified gunmen stormed the area, shooting indiscriminately and killing at least four people, according to residents.
The attackers, described by witnesses as heavily armed and operating in large numbers, invaded Ekwulobia and Oko communities in Aguata Local Government Area around 8 a.m., triggering chaos as workers and traders fled for safety.
Videos circulating on social media showed people running through the streets as gunfire rang out and vehicles burned.
One eyewitness, who declined to be named over fear of reprisal, said the gunmen mounted positions on a newly constructed bridge in Ekwulobia before opening fire on a joint patrol team made up of police, army, and state vigilante operatives.
“There was confusion everywhere,” the witness said. “About four people were already dead, and many others injured. Two people were shot while in a tricycle.”
The motive for the assault remained unclear. While residents said at least four people had been killed, police put the official toll at two.
Anambra police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident and said security forces had regained control of the area.
“The Anambra State Police Command-led security force contained a shooting incident in the early hours of today at Oko and Ekwulobia flyover,” Ikenga said.
According to police, the gunmen opened fire without warning beneath the Ekwulobia flyover and set a security vehicle ablaze.
A swift response from the joint security team led to an exchange of fire in which one of the attackers was neutralized. Officers recovered an AK-47 rifle, an automatic pump-action shotgun, and four vehicles believed to have been used by the gunmen.
The recovered vehicles included a red Toyota Camry, a custom-color Mercedes Benz GLK, a golden Lexus 330, and a Toyota Highlander, police said.
Ikenga added that the burned vehicle was a brown Toyota Sienna allegedly belonging to the Anambra State Vigilante Group.
Separately, the Oko Divisional Police Headquarters came under attack, but police repelled the assault. No casualties were recorded in that incident.
“Given the above, adequate security measures have been put in place at the instance of the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu,” Ikenga said. “Residents are urged to remain calm as efforts to ensure their safety continue.”
Bodies of the victims have been deposited in the morgue, and authorities said investigations and pursuit of the assailants were ongoing.
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