Gunmen have killed seven people in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The victims, which included police officers and two civilians, lost their lives when some yet-to-be-identified assailants invaded a venue where preparations for a burial ceremony were to be held and started shooting sporadically, leading to the killings.
Eyewitnesses in the area said the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday but the reason for the attack could not be officially ascertained.
However, sources in the area said it could be in connection to the directive given by the hoodlums that “no burial ceremony” should be held in the community without their approval.
The source said, “Members of a family were making arrangements for the burial ceremony of their loved one, which was scheduled to be held on January 2, 2025.
“But as the preparations were going on, gunmen suddenly invaded the place and started shooting sporadically, and this led to a hot exchange of gunfire between them and some security operatives in the area.
“The hoodlums fired at some police officers at a security post near the Ihiala LGA, and in the process, some people passing by and some security officers were gunned down.”
A viral video being circulated on social media showed the corpse of two of the victims, who are members of the Anambra State Vigilante Group (AVG).
Meanwhile, the state police command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga has confirmed the incident.
In a press release, he said the commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam has ordered immediate manhunt of the assailants.
He said the incident happened at about 11.20am, and that the attack resulted in the death of seven persons, among which are two unarmed passers-by.
He said: “The Joint Security Team rescued one of the victims who is currently responding to treatment in a hospital.
“The CP while on an on-the-spot assessment visit to the scene interviewed some eye witnesses of the incident. Information also had it that the armed men started shooting sporadically at a venue where preparations are ongoing for a burial ceremony slated for 2nd of January, 2025.
“Also, while escaping the scene, the armed men shot at two security operatives at a security Observation Post close to the Local Government Headquarters by the Express Road.”
Ikenga said the CP has extended his condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives, especially the good people of Ihiala over the sad incident.
He further assured that the perpetrators would be hunted down.
