Gunmen Kill Lawyer, Client in Fresh Anambra Attack

Security continues to worsen in Anambra State, South-east Nigeria, with armed attacks becoming more frequent. In the latest incident, gunmen killed two individuals in Egbebelu village, Nanka, located in Orumba North Local Government Area.

The Attack

Witnesses told ASIWAJU MEDIA that the victims were ambushed on Thursday morning while traveling in a red Toyota Camry. The assailants, reportedly riding a motorcycle, intercepted the vehicle and opened fire.

One of the victims was shot dead on the spot, while the other was gunned down while attempting to flee, a resident said.

One of the deceased has been identified as Ifeanyi Rolex Iloakasia, a lawyer who was returning home from a court session. The second victim was reportedly his client.

A video of the aftermath has surfaced on social media, with a voice in the background suggesting the killings were likely an assassination, given the manner of the attack.

Police Response

The Anambra State Police Command confirmed the incident. According to police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga, Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu visited the crime scene on Thursday alongside senior officers and detectives.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the victims were trailed from the courthouse at Ekwulobia, where Mr. Iloakasia had just secured bail for an accused person in a murder case.

Ikenga added that a third occupant of the vehicle survived the attack and is receiving treatment in a hospital. The survivor has since been debriefed and provided critical information aiding the ongoing investigation.

The police have recovered the vehicle and confirmed the identities of the deceased through their families. Commissioner Orutugu has ordered a full investigation and deployed tactical and intelligence teams to track the attackers.

Rising Insecurity in the Region

Anambra, like other South-eastern states, has seen a spike in violent attacks in recent years, often targeting security personnel, government officials, and institutions. Hundreds have been killed or abducted in the ongoing violence.

The Nigerian government has blamed the separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), for the unrest. However, the group continues to deny any involvement.

IPOB is seeking the creation of an independent Biafran state from parts of Nigeria’s South-east and South-south regions.