Terrorists in large numbers invaded the Ekwulobia and Oko communities in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State on Wednesday and started shooting indiscriminately, killing about four persons and injuring many others in the process.
According to eyewitnesses and social media recordings observed by our correspondent, the heavily armed terrorists entered the community about 8 a.m. on Wednesday.
It was gathered that the terrorists also set fire to one of the joint security team’s vehicles in the vicinity, as well as a few others. Oko and Ekwulobia are nearby communities.
“There was confusion everywhere, and most of the people, 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, who engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel.
“About four persons were already recorded dead, and many others injured. Two people were shot while in a tricycle.”
The cause of the attack has yet to be determined, but while residents in the village claim four people were killed and several others injured, police officials say the casualty count is two.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the state police spokesman, confirmed the development when called by our correspondent, saying the joint security task team had taken over the area on the Commissioner of Police’s orders and that normalcy had resumed.
Ikenga stated that the event resulted in a fatal gunshot wound to two unsuspecting members of the public and the burning of a security vehicle.
He said, “The Anambra State Police Command-led security force contained a shooting incident in the early hours of today, July 9, 2025, at the Oko and Ekwulobia flyover, Aguata Local Government Area.
“The team also demobilised one of the armed criminals and recovered one AK-47 rifle, one automatic pump-action gun and four vehicles at the scene as the operatives sustained the onslaught operations in the area.
“The vehicles recovered include one red Toyota Camry vehicle with Reg No: ENU 58 SC, a custom colour GLK Mercedes Benz without a registration number, a golden colour Lexus 330 with Reg No: ENU 815 AP and one ash Toyota Highlander with Reg No: GDD 517 RW.
“The armed criminals unprovokedly shot indiscriminately under the Ekwulobia flyover. Consequently, in a swift response, 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 of the deceased have been recovered and deposited in the mortuary.”
In another development, he stated that the Oko Divisional Police Headquarters was attacked, but the gallant officers on duty repelled the assault by the armed criminals, adding that no casualties were reported as the joint security team pursued the assailants aggressively.
“Given the above, adequate security measures have been put in place at the instance of the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu.
“Residents are hereby urged to remain calm as efforts to ensure their safety continue unabated. Further development will be communicated,” he added.
