Cultists Again? Anambra Community Reels After Gunmen Kill Popular Businessman Near Federal Polytechnic, Oko

 

 

Tension gripped residents of Oko town in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State following the cold-blooded murder of a well-known beer parlour owner, who was gunned down by unknown assailants late Sunday evening.

The attack occurred opposite a bustling pizza joint near the Federal Polytechnic, Oko — a location frequently visited by students and locals. Panic erupted shortly after gunshots rang through the night air, sending patrons and passersby scrambling for safety.

Eyewitness accounts suggest the victim, who had been driving his vehicle through the area at the time, was abruptly double-crossed by the attackers. Without hesitation, the gunmen opened fire, targeting the victim with precision. Two bullets to the chest proved fatal. The lifeless body remained inside the vehicle as the assailants made their escape.

A young vendor, who operates a mobile phone charging stall nearby, recalled the chaos. “The shooting was sudden. People were screaming and running. By the time we returned, the man was already dead inside his car,” he said, his voice still shaky from the experience.

Moments after the assailants fled, a crowd began to form around the crime scene. Among those who arrived was the victim’s younger brother, visibly distraught, who made a harrowing discovery — his sibling lay motionless, soaked in blood, behind the wheel of his vehicle. The shock did not deter him from taking swift action. He entered the car, started the engine, and drove the deceased to the nearest police station.

A video that has since gone viral on social media shows the gathering crowd, murmuring in disbelief as they encircle the vehicle. The brother, appearing numb with grief, is seen gently maneuvering the blood-splattered car through the crowd, en route to the police post.

According to a police statement released Monday morning, the Anambra State Police Command confirmed the killing and offered critical details surrounding the incident. The spokesperson for the Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, revealed that preliminary investigations have pointed to cult-related violence.

“This is a cult-related killing. Following a quick response by our men led by the Divisional Police Officer in Oko, one suspect was arrested at the scene and is currently undergoing interrogation,” Ikenga stated.

He also noted that the victim’s vehicle was recovered at the location of the shooting and that the body has been transferred to a local morgue. “The operatives were able to take control of the scene quickly. The deceased's body has been deposited at the mortuary, and investigations are ongoing,” he added.

While police continue to probe the motive behind the killing, locals have begun expressing fears about the resurgence of cult-related violence in Oko and surrounding areas. Many residents believe this latest incident may be part of a larger pattern of targeted killings tied to inter-cult rivalry.

A local community leader, who spoke under condition of anonymity, described the murder as “deeply troubling” and called on security agencies to intensify their presence around the polytechnic and other hotspots in the area. “These attacks create fear and erode our confidence in security. We can’t continue like this,” he said.

The deceased, whose name is being withheld pending notification of extended family, was well known among students and residents for running a popular bar that catered to a wide cross-section of the community. Friends and patrons have begun sharing tributes online, with many describing him as “cheerful,” “hardworking,” and “well-loved.”

This killing marks yet another grim reminder of the fragile security situation in parts of southeastern Nigeria, where cult-related violence, armed robbery, and politically motivated killings have become increasingly common in recent months.

Authorities have pledged to release more information as the investigation progresses, urging members of the public with relevant intelligence to come forward. For now, a once vibrant corner of Oko remains shrouded in silence and sorrow.