At least three people have been confirmed dead and five others injured following an attack by unidentified hoodlums on the Isionye community, situated at the boundary between Enugu Ukwu and Nawfia in Anambra State’s Njikoka Local Government Area.
Reports indicate that the armed attackers, pretending to be prospective land buyers, deceived their victims and launched the assault at the location.
Local sources revealed that the attack caused widespread panic within the community, as multiple gunshots were fired during the incident.
One of the sources said, “Unknown gunmen stormed our community in Enugu Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government, this evening and killed several people. They arrived in a Sienna vehicle, pretending to be land buyers.
“No one suspected they were heavily armed with guns and machetes until they reached the land and started shooting. In the process, both the people who took them to the land were shot, while passers-by and other residents, who fled at the sound of the gunfire, sustained various injuries.”
Confirming the incident on Tuesday, Anambra State Police spokesman, Superintendent of Police Tochukwu Ikenga, said the police had recovered the vehicle abandoned by the armed attackers, and that investigations were underway to identify the perpetrators.
Ikenga said, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Itam, has ordered an investigation into the murder of three people and the serious injury of five others on Monday, 9 September 2024, at 2 p.m. at Isionye land, a boundary between Enugu Ukwu and Nawfia.
“Preliminary information revealed that the victims were lured to the land by individuals through a phone call under the guise of a land transaction, and were then attacked with guns and machetes.
“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police has called for calm, as police operatives have recovered the abandoned Sienna vehicle used by the murderers.
“The testimonies of the injured victims, who are currently receiving treatment in hospital, are aiding the investigation, while the bodies of the deceased have been deposited in the morgue.
“Further developments will be communicated in due course.”