Gunmen attack Anambra community, kill ten

• One of the witnesses, who spoke in confidence with newsmen, said the armed persons accused the indigenes of meeting to plot against them.

In Anambra State, a deadly attack in Ogboji, a community in Orumba South Local Government Area of the south-east state, has left at least thirteen people dead.

According to PREMIUM TIMES, most of the victims of the attack, which happened at about 6p.m on Monday evening, are from Ebonyi state.

Locals privy to the incident disclosed that some Ebonyi indigenes were holding their monthly meeting when the hoodlums attacked them.

One of the witnesses, who spoke in confidence with newsmen, said the armed persons accused the indigenes of meeting to plot against them.

“They demanded our minute’s book, seized it and subsequently opened fire on us,” he said, adding that about 13 persons were killed at the spot.

The identities of the assailants were yet to be ascertained.

Tochukwu Ikenga, the police spokesperson in Anambra State, confirmed the attack and killings in a statement on Tuesday evening.

Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, said the gunmen stormed the area in two SUVs and attacked some residents without provocation.

“The victims were rushed to the hospital, and regrettably, 10 people were confirmed dead,” he said.

“The bodies have been deposited in the morgue.”

The spokesperson said the police authorities in Anambra State have assured that they would track down the killers.

He said a joint security team led by the police had been deployed in the area and was already working to apprehend the attackers.

The attack is the latest in the spate of violent attacks and wanton killings that have enveloped the south-east in recent years.

The attack underscores the deterioration of security not just in Anambra State but in the region.

The deepening security crisis has crippled socio-economic activities in the region.

The Association of Non-Indigenes in Anambra State decried the deadly attack and asked authorities to investigate it.

President of the association, Chigozie Nweke in a statement on Tuesday, asked Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State to do everything within his powers to fish out the attackers.