At least four people were killed during a violent attack by gunmen enforcing the Monday sit-at-home order in Anambra State.
The assailants struck in the communities of Ukpo in Dunukofia Local Government Area and Abatete in Idemili North, targeting both residents and security personnel.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers arrived in Abatete at around 8:30 a.m., unleashing indiscriminate gunfire on residents.
From there, they moved to the Ukpo Roundabout, continuing their assault and killing several individuals, including members of the Anambra State Vigilante Operatives. “They came in shooting everywhere.
People were running for their lives,” a resident of Abatete recounted. “At Ukpo, they also set vigilante vehicles on fire and killed more people. It was a terrible sight.”
Disturbing footage of the aftermath surfaced on social media, showing bodies of victims, including that of a vigilante operative at Ukpo Roundabout. Three other bodies were discovered in Abatete.
The President General of Abatete Community, Chimame Ezigbo, was reportedly injured in the attack and is receiving medical care. Another vigilante operative also sustained injuries and was rushed to the hospital.
A resident of Abatete, who asked to remain anonymous, expressed fear over the increasing violence. “How can we live like this? These attacks are making life unbearable. Nobody is safe anymore.”
The Anambra State Police Command confirmed awareness of the attack. Speaking to reporters, Police Public Relations Officer Tochukwu Ikenga stated, “We are aware of the unfortunate incident in Ukpo and Abatete.
Investigations are ongoing, and police officers have been deployed to restore calm in the affected areas.” Ikenga called for public cooperation in providing credible information to aid the investigation.
The attack has left the residents of Ukpo and Abatete in fear and mourning. While investigations continue, the affected communities are grappling with the trauma of the violence and the persistent insecurity plaguing the region.
