Gunmen Open Fire at Anambra Meeting, 19 Feared Dead

When gunmen entered a meeting location in Ogboji, Orumba South Local Government Area, Anambra State, on Monday, and began shooting at attendees, killing at least 19, panic swept across the community.
Eyewitnesses told Vanguard that the attackers, who arrived with two Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), targeted a group of people thought to be Ebonyi State natives.
It’s still unknown why the horrific incident occurred.

Nonetheless, sources indicate that the attack might be related to heightened enforcement of the region’s outlawed sit-at-home edict.

Others assert that the massacre might have been caused by internal conflicts, pointing out that the attackers allegedly demanded to view the meeting minutes before opening fire.

“They arrived unexpectedly and demanded the meeting minutes. Shooting began before anyone could react. A victim, who wished to remain anonymous for security concerns, told reporters, “It was terrifying.”

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Although the Anambra State Police Command acknowledged the incident, they provided a different number of casualties.

SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer, stated in a statement issued on Tuesday that nine persons were taken to the hospital with injuries and that ten individuals were confirmed deceased.

According to Ikenga, “the armed criminals attacked a gathering, shooting intermittently, in two Sport Utility Vehicles.”

Unfortunately, 10 people were pronounced dead after the victims were taken to the hospital in a hurry. They have been placed in the mortuary.

He also said that the incident was under control by a joint team of police officers and other security personnel who had been sent to the area.

The statement said, “The command strongly condemns this act of violence and is working with relevant stakeholders to ensure those responsible don’t go to jail.”

People in Ogboji and the surrounding communities are reportedly extremely afraid of the attack, and they are urging security forces to step up patrols and rebuild trust in the region.

According to a community leader who wished to remain anonymous, “We have seen unusual people in the region before. However, there have never been mass murders of this nature. People in our community are terrified.
In light of ongoing investigations, the state administration has not yet released an official statement regarding the incident at the time this article was filed.

The recent tragedy is just one more of the many security issues that Anambra and other Southeast regions are facing.