10 Killed as gunmen attack community meeting in Anambra

Panic gripped Ogboji community in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State on Monday evening after unidentified gunmen unleashed a deadly assault that claimed at least 13 lives.

The attackers, said to have arrived in two Sport Utility Vehicles, stormed a monthly gathering without warning and opened fire on the unsuspecting victims.

Eyewitnesses reported that most of those killed were non-indigenes, particularly members of the Ebonyi community in Ogboji who had convened to discuss their welfare. Chigozie Nweke, President of the Association of Non-Indigenes in Anambra State, described the incident as tragic and senseless, lamenting that the attack was both unprovoked and cruel.

Augustine Odom, chairman of the Ebonyi community in Ogboji and one of the few survivors, narrated the terrifying moment the gunmen accused them of conspiring against them and demanded the minutes book of their meeting before opening fire. He revealed that 13 people died instantly while he and the group’s treasurer sustained gunshot injuries.

“These were innocent people. We’ve always lived peacefully in this community without any trouble. This was a simple welfare meeting meant to support one another, not to provoke anyone,” Odom stated.

Confirming the incident, the Anambra State Police Command noted that 10 fatalities were officially recorded. Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed that officers responded promptly, cordoned off the area and commenced investigations. He added that the victims were rushed to a hospital where 10 were confirmed dead while others remained under medical care.

Ikenga assured residents that a police-led security team had taken over the affected area and efforts were ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.

He pledged that justice would be served and promised to keep the public updated as investigations continue.