Agulu-Nanka Border: Tension Grips Anambra Communities as Armed Men Kill Two Locals in Broad Daylight

 

Panic and uncertainty have gripped two neighboring communities in Anambra State following the brazen killing of two individuals by suspected gunmen on Thursday morning near the Agulu-Nanka boundary in Anaocha Local Government Area.

The fatal attack occurred around 10:45 a.m. and has heightened tensions in the area, stirring fear among residents and raising questions about the deteriorating security situation in parts of the southeastern state. Eyewitnesses said the assailants carried out the killings with clinical precision before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle, vanishing before security agents could respond.

Accounts from those who witnessed the shocking incident revealed that one of the victims was shot while inside a red saloon car, while the other was gunned down in his attempt to escape. The identities of the victims have not been officially confirmed, but local sources claim they were part of a community security network allegedly initiated under the directive of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

A resident who agreed to speak on condition of anonymity alleged that the security operatives may have been targets due to their affiliations with state-backed efforts to maintain peace during political activities, particularly elections. “The boys were known in the community and worked with a local outfit the governor put together,” the source said. “This attack looks like it was planned. They were clearly marked.”

Security agencies have yet to release an official statement at the time of reporting. Multiple attempts to reach the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, proved unsuccessful, as calls and messages were not answered.

However, a senior police official, who requested not to be named, confirmed the deadly assault and revealed that the newly posted Commissioner of Police has wasted no time in deploying tactical units to the region. “The Commissioner is an experienced combatant officer,” the source said. “He has already sent operatives after the attackers. While details are still sketchy, I can assure the public that efforts to apprehend the suspects are underway. We are treating this as a high-priority case.”

Residents of Agulu and Nanka have described the situation as tense and fearful. Many local businesses shut down in the immediate aftermath of the killings, and some residents refrained from leaving their homes, fearing potential reprisals or further violence. The normally busy road connecting the two communities became eerily quiet, with visible signs of distress among passersby.

Community leaders have begun appealing for calm and are urging government authorities to intervene swiftly. “We do not want this to degenerate into something worse,” said one traditional leader. “Both Agulu and Nanka have lived peacefully for years. This incident is disturbing and we want justice for those killed.”

Though the motive remains unclear, some community members suspect it may be part of a broader pattern of targeted attacks on local vigilantes or security outfits believed to have links with political structures. As election cycles continue to influence grassroots dynamics across the state, some analysts believe these killings may reflect deeper undercurrents of political rivalry or criminal infiltration.

The state government has not yet commented publicly on the matter, but expectations are high for a swift response and increased security patrols in the affected region. Meanwhile, the residents wait with bated breath for clarity and justice, hoping that the perpetrators will soon be brought to book and peace restored to their once-quiet neighborhoods.