Fear swept through the Ogboji community in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State late Monday when gunmen launched an attack on a gathering, opening fire on attendees.
Reports indicate that the assailants killed at least 13 individuals during the incident.
The attackers reportedly arrived in two Sport Utility Vehicles and targeted a peaceful assembly—described as a monthly general meeting—without provocation, also firing shots into the air.
While local sources claimed that 13 people were killed, police sources confirmed a death toll of 10.
Speaking with journalists on Tuesday, Chigozie Nweke, a resident and President of the Association of Non-Indigenes in Anambra State, explained that most of the victims were non-indigenes.
Nweke said, “It was a tragic and horrifying Monday evening for members of the Ogboji community, particularly non-indigenes residing in the area, as gunmen stormed a meeting venue in the area and brutally murdered about 13 persons. The attack, which occurred between 6:00pm and 7:00pm, left the affected families in mourning. We bring to the attention of the Anambra State Government the killing of these persons, mostly indigenes of Ebonyi State at Ogboji in Orumba South Local Government Area by yet to be identified gunmen.”
He also called on Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Ikioye Orutugu, to deploy security operatives to apprehend those responsible.
One of the survivors, Augustine Odom, who serves as the chairman of the Ebonyi community in Ogboji, described the incident as “sudden and unprovoked.”
Odom said, “The community was holding its regular monthly meeting when the assailants struck. We were having our monthly meeting of the Ebonyi community, which holds on the last Monday of every month, beginning at 4:00pm. This gathering was known to our Town Union President. It was a peaceful meeting aimed at discussing welfare issues affecting our members. Then, around 6:30pm, a group of gunmen arrived in a Sienna vehicle and accused us of holding a meeting against them.”
According to him, “The attackers demanded the group’s minutes book, and thereafter seized it and opened fire on the participants. They collected our minutes book, ordered everyone to lie down, and then asked the chairman to stand. Moments later, they started shooting at us. About 13 of our members were killed on the spot. The treasurer and I survived with gunshot wounds.”
Odom said the victims were from various parts of Ebonyi State, including Izzi, Ikwo, and Mgbo communities.
The two survivors, now receiving treatment, expressed disbelief over the incident, saying, “We have no issues with anyone. We are law-abiding residents who simply gathered to support one another.”
SP Tochukwu Ikenga, spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, confirmed the attack on Tuesday and said officers had secured the area and launched an investigation to identify those behind the crime.
Ikenga stated that the injured were taken to a hospital, where 10 were confirmed dead, and their remains have been deposited at the morgue.
He said, “The Anambra State Police Command has condemned the indiscriminate shooting incident that resulted in fatal injuries and fatalities to ten persons on the evening of 30th June, 2025, at Ogboji, Orumba South Local Government Area. The Police has further assured that the Command shall hunt down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.”
According to him, “The armed criminals came in two Sport Utility Vehicles and attacked the gathering of a group unprovokedly, shooting sporadically. The victims were rushed to the hospital and regrettably, 10 people were confirmed dead. The bodies have been deposited in the morgue. Meanwhile, the Police-led security team has taken over the scene and is working on the necessary information to arrest the perpetrators. Further development would be communicated, please.”