BREAKING: Chaos Erupts in Oko as Gunmen Open Fire Near Federal Polytechnic; Authorities Urge Caution on Speculation [VIDEOS]

 

Residents of Oko in Anambra State were thrown into panic late Thursday evening following disturbing reports of a shooting incident that occurred close to the premises of Federal Polytechnic Oko. Eyewitnesses described the terrifying scene as men armed with firearms reportedly disembarked from a vehicle and began shooting indiscriminately in different parts of the town.

According to early but unverified accounts circulating among locals and on social media platforms, at least two separate shooting episodes took place—one near Total Junction and another around Tipper Junction, both within the same vicinity. Short video clips, shared on Telegram, captured the chaotic aftermath and the sound of sustained gunfire. These visuals have since ignited concern and raised questions about the nature and motive of the attack.

As news of the incident spreads, anxiety is growing over the possible involvement of local cult groups, a concern that has plagued various communities in southeastern Nigeria. However, Naija Confra, a local news and monitoring outlet, has emphasized that there is currently no verified information linking the shootings to cult activity. The outlet has warned against hasty conclusions, especially in such a sensitive moment when facts remain elusive and speculation could incite fear or even retaliatory violence.

Witnesses who spoke under the condition of anonymity said they saw unidentified men pull up in a vehicle before opening fire. Screams echoed through the air as people fled for safety, scattering into nearby homes, shops, and school hostels. Several students and locals reportedly abandoned their belongings in the rush to escape the scene. There are conflicting accounts regarding casualties, with no official confirmation yet on whether there were fatalities or injuries.

Security operatives are said to be assessing the situation, although no formal statement has been released by the police or the school’s security authorities. Residents are urging state authorities to increase their presence and quickly restore calm to the area, which hosts a significant student population due to the presence of the federal polytechnic.

Oko, typically a peaceful town bustling with commercial and academic activity, has rarely seen violence on this scale. The town is home to thousands of students who have now been thrust into an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. Some students reportedly spent the night away from their hostels or locked themselves in for fear of further attacks. The attack has disrupted the otherwise calm academic environment, and school authorities are expected to address the situation as soon as more clarity is available.

Social media has since become a battleground for unverified claims, with some users already assigning blame and suggesting motives without any solid evidence. Naija Confra and other local sources have repeatedly called on the public to avoid spreading fake news, emphasizing the need to wait for official investigations before drawing any conclusions. Rumors, they warn, could complicate efforts by law enforcement to get to the bottom of the situation and could also contribute to unnecessary panic.

Community leaders and local vigilante groups are also said to be working closely with security agencies to secure the area and provide real-time updates to concerned residents. For now, the mood in Oko remains tense, with many hoping for swift intervention from the authorities to identify the perpetrators and prevent further violence.

Authorities are also advising residents to remain calm but vigilant. Any suspicious movement or persons should be immediately reported to law enforcement. The public has been asked to stay tuned to trusted sources of information for updates and to refrain from sharing videos or messages that might contain misleading or incendiary content.

As of the time this report was filed, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and no suspects have been apprehended. Naija Confra has promised to continue monitoring the situation closely and to provide verified information as it becomes available.

The coming days will be crucial in determining what truly happened in Oko and whether the attack was an isolated act or part of a broader conflict. For now, residents, students, and the general public are urged to stay safe, remain calm, and avoid making assumptions that could inflame an already fragile situation.

 

OKO, ANAMBRA: More video from the attack in Oko, Anambra State. Initial reports say one attack happened around Total Junction and another around Tipper Junction. (Video on Telgrm).

Please be very careful of f@ke news and avoid calling this incident a cult-related attack without… pic.twitter.com/EkTtXzbz6Z

— Naija Confra (@naijaconfra) June 19, 2025