- Ilo reported that the police officers stationed at the venue attempted to fend off the attackers but were quickly overwhelmed
A traditional Ozo title ceremony in Amakor village, Nanka Community, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, descended into chaos when gunmen stormed the event, kidnapping eight individuals and leaving twelve others injured.
Barrister Emmanuel Ilo, one of the Ozo title holders present, recounted his narrow escape. “I managed to escape from the scene when the gunmen struck,” he said, attributing his survival to divine intervention.
Ilo reported that the police officers stationed at the venue attempted to fend off the attackers but were quickly overwhelmed. “Without warning, the gunmen began scattering items at the event, intimidating and brutalizing participants, while some armed men, including those dressed in police uniforms, stood by,” he narrated.
Among the kidnapped individuals are Barrister Obinna Ilo, the Amakor village chairman, along with Emerie Ilo, Sam Eminike, and Chief Asina Okafor. The victims were forced into waiting Sienna vehicles and whisked away to an undisclosed location. Some participants managed to flee and have since gone into hiding.
The identities of the abductors remain unknown, and no contact has been made with the families of the kidnapped individuals. Their phones have been unreachable since the incident, deepening the anxiety within the community.
The attack took place while brothers Peter Emerie Ilo, Chike Ilo, and Madueke Nwafor were being initiated into the Ozo society. Ilo claimed that the attackers included some community members, notably former village chairman Chinedu Nwankwo and caretaker committee chairman Ejike Nwafor.
When contacted, Anambra State Police Command spokesperson, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, stated he was unaware of the incident.
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