Fear gripped residents of Ekwulobia and Oko communities in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State on Wednesday morning after gunmen attacked, killing four people and burning several vehicles.
The attack started around 8 am when the armed men, reported to be large in number, positioned themselves on a newly built bridge that connects both towns. They opened fire without warning, sending residents, traders, and commuters running for safety.
An eyewitness, who did not want to be named, 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.”
The eyewitness added that the chaos forced people going to work and traders opening their shops to flee in panic.
“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,” he noted.
Viral videos on social media showed terrified residents running amid the sound of gunfire. One operational vehicle belonging to the Anambra State Vigilante Group was seen burning.
Locals said four people lost their lives, including two shot while in a tricycle. However, the Anambra State Police Command confirmed only two deaths.
In a statement, the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, noted, “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.”
Ikenga explained that the joint security team fought back and recovered weapons, including one AK-47 rifle, an automatic pump action gun, and four vehicles left behind by the attackers. These vehicles included a red Toyota Camry, a golden Lexus 330, an ash Toyota Highlander, and a custom-coloured Mercedes-Benz GLK.
He further noted, “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 also confirmed an attempted attack on the Oko Divisional Police Headquarters, which officers successfully stopped.
“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 noted.
