At least three persons have been confirmed dead and several weapons recovered, following multiple coordinated gunmen attacks that rocked parts of Aguata and Orumba North Local Government Areas of Anambra State in the early hours of Thursday.
The incidents, which occurred around the new Ekwulobia flyover and the Oko Divisional Police Headquarters, were swiftly repelled by a combined team of security operatives led by the Anambra State Police Command.
According to a press release by the Police Public Relations Officer of the State Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, one of the gunmen was demobilized during a fierce gun battle, while the operatives also recovered two rifles—an AK-47 and an automatic pump action gun—as well as four vehicles believed to have been used by the attackers.
The recovered vehicles, he said, include a red Toyota Camry with registration number ENU 58 SC; a custom-coloured GLK Mercedes Benz without a number plate; a golden-coloured Lexus 330 with registration number ENU 815 AP; and an ash-coloured Toyota Highlander marked GOD 517 RW.
“Anambra Police-led Security Force contained a shooting incident in the early hours of today 9th July 2025 at Oko and Ekwulobia flyover, Aguata Local Government Area,” the release reads in part, adding that the incident also resulted in 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.
“The Armed criminals unprovokedly shot indiscriminately under the Ekwulobia flyover and upon the swift response of 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 have been recovered and deposited in the morgue,” SP Ikenga said in the statement.
It was also gathered that the gunmen later attempted to attack the Divisional Police Headquarters in Oko, but were resisted by the gallant officers on duty. The attackers were reportedly forced to flee after being overwhelmed by the firepower of the security operatives.
“No casualties were recorded as the aggressive pursuit by the Joint Security Team of the assailants continues in the area,” the Police Spokesman noted.
According to him, at the instance of the State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, adequate security measures have been emplaced across the state to forestall any recurrence, as well as to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous act.
The Police Command, while calling on the public to remain calm, also urged residents to promptly report any suspicious movements or individuals to the nearest security formation or through the Police emergency numbers.
