Eight Killed in Bloody Gunmen Attacks on Osun, Anambra Communities

At least eight people have been killed in separate armed attacks on communities in Osun and Anambra States, with several others injured and some abducted.

In Anambra, gunmen stormed Oko community near the Federal Polytechnic on Thursday night, opening fire indiscriminately. At least four people—believed to be students—were killed, and about seven others sustained serious injuries. Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants targeted the area around Total Junction, close to the polytechnic, and also abducted two individuals during the raid.

A disturbing video circulating online shows injured victims, including both male and female students, gasping for breath at what appeared to be a hospital.

Anambra Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident, describing it as cult-related. According to him, security forces comprising the police, army, navy, civil defence, and vigilante groups have secured the area. He also confirmed the deaths of two individuals and stated that efforts to track down the attackers and locate the abducted persons were ongoing.

Meanwhile, in Osun State, four individuals were killed when gunmen invaded Ido Ayegunle, a community near Esa-Oke, on the same day. The attackers also torched buildings and vandalised properties.

According to the Obanla of Ido Ayegunle, Ibironke Adebusuyi, the violence stems from an unresolved dispute over the appointment of a new traditional ruler. He claimed that the attackers, who arrived on motorcycles in large numbers, were from neighbouring Esa-Oke.

“They came around 10 a.m., surrounded our village, and began shooting. Four people were killed brutally — one was decapitated, another had his wrist severed. Their bodies were thrown into a well and covered with stones,” Adebusuyi recounted, calling on the state government to intervene.

However, the Owamiran of Esa-Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adediran, denied any involvement from his community, saying, “I know nothing about the incident.”

Police spokesperson Yemisi Ojelabi confirmed the attack, attributing it to an ongoing boundary dispute. She noted that police had responded quickly but the attackers fled. She also stated that investigations were underway and warned that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

The Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, visited the scene, and security presence has since been reinforced. While no arrests have been made yet, items recovered at the crime scenes are being examined for leads.

In response to the Anambra attack, the Federal Polytechnic, Oko’s spokesperson, Chijioke Ibeziako, clarified that the violence occurred outside the campus and assured that security around the school had been strengthened. Students and staff were urged to remain calm and continue their normal routines.

Authorities in both states have vowed to pursue the assailants and restore peace in the affected communities.