In a chilling escalation of violence, a group of unidentified gunmen unleashed terror near the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, on Thursday evening, leaving two students dead, two others abducted, and at least four severely injured in a brazen assault that has sent shockwaves across the academic community.
The attack occurred around 8:40 p.m. at the Total and Tipper junctions—bustling areas just outside the school premises—when the assailants, riding on a motorcycle and a black unregistered Lexus 350 SUV, opened fire indiscriminately on unsuspecting students and passersby. Eyewitnesses say the gunmen fired in all directions, causing chaos and panic as people fled for their lives.
Multiple students who spoke to SaharaReporters described the scene as “a nightmarish bloodbath,” recounting how their peers fell to the ground either dead or groaning in pain as the assailants sped off into the night.
Confirming the tragedy, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, stated:
> “We can confirm that two persons were fatally shot while two others, including a female student, are currently receiving medical treatment in the hospital. Preliminary reports also indicate that two individuals were forcefully taken away by the attackers.”
In response to the assault, a robust joint security task force—comprising operatives from the Nigerian Police, Army, Navy, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and local vigilante groups—has been deployed to the area. The operation is being led by the Area Commander of Aguata in an intensified manhunt to apprehend the perpetrators and rescue the abducted victims.
SP Ikenga added,
> “We are acting on credible intelligence and eyewitness testimonies. The command remains resolute in hunting down those behind this heinous act. We urge the public to remain calm as efforts are ongoing to restore normalcy and bring the culprits to justice.”
The horrifying incident has once again raised serious concerns about student safety and the general security situation in the region. It comes amid growing insecurity in parts of Anambra and the southeast, where armed attacks have increasingly targeted civilians and institutions.
In the wake of the tragedy, school authorities and security stakeholders are expected to meet for an emergency review of safety protocols around the institution to prevent a recurrence of such carnage.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in and around the Federal Polytechnic, Oko remains tense, as students mourn their slain colleagues and call on the government to act decisively to secure learning environments.
As investigations continue, the Anambra State Police Command has promised to provide timely updates and called on members of the public with any useful information to come forward.
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