Gunmen kill five in Anambra community

Gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have killed five persons in Anambra state.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the attack occurred on Thursday when the assailants stormed a restaurant near the Odumegwu Ojukwu University gate in Uli.

The publication said about six gunmen arrived at Acuvic Kitchen in a black Lexus SUV around 12:30pm and unleashed gunfire on diners, including members of the Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG). 

The attack claimed the lives of Okechukwu Iriakano, a member of AVG; Ifeanyi Esenwaka from Umuoma community; an unidentified middle-aged man; an unnamed commercial motorcyclist; and a female relative of the restaurant owner.

Zagazola Makama reported that security operatives swiftly responded to the attack, but the gunmen had fled by the time they reached the scene.

The victims of the incident were rushed to Arch Angel hospital in Uli but were confirmed dead on arrival, with their bodies deposited in the hospital morgue pending autopsy.

Following the attack, Nnaghe Itam, commissioner of police in Anambra, visited the scene for an immediate assessment. 

Security operatives have launched a manhunt for the perpetrators with investigations under way.