Unidentified gunmen late on Thursday attacked Oko community near the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, killing at least four persons suspected to be students and injuring about seven others.

While the motive behind the attack remains unclear, sources in the area suspect it to be cult-related. The assailants reportedly opened fire without provocation, triggering chaos in the community.

Eyewitnesses and local residents confirmed that four people were killed instantly and around seven others injured, though the police gave a lower casualty figure of two.

One local source said, ?The incident happened late yesterday (Thursday). The armed men arrived near the Federal Polytechnic, Oko and started shooting unprovoked. At least seven students of the polytechnic were shot today. Four casualties were recorded while the remaining students are in critical condition at local hospitals.

?The hoodlums also went away with about two persons whose whereabouts have yet to be known. The incident caused mayhem as students and other residents in the area scampered to safety.?

A video circulating online shows two victims ? a male and a female student ? lying in pools of blood and struggling to breathe, reportedly in a hospital.

Anambra State Police Command spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a statement on Friday, describing it as a cult-related attack.

Ikenga said police operatives, led by the Aguata Area Commander and supported by the Army, Navy, Civil Defence, and Vigilante operatives, had taken control of the area and were pursuing leads from eyewitnesses.

?The police operatives led by the Area Commander, Aguata, complemented by the Joint Security Force comprising the Army, Navy, Civil Defence and Vigilante Operatives have taken over the scene of an alleged cult-related shooting by 8.40pm on June 19, 2025, at the Total Junction and Tipper Junction all in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area.

?Two victims including a lady who is currently receiving treatment in a hospital were rescued. Sadly, the incident recorded the death of two persons and the alleged abduction of two others.

?An eyewitness account revealed that the armed criminals operating with a motorcycle and a black Lexus 350 SUV without a plate number started shooting indiscriminately at the Total Junction.

?Four persons were allegedly wounded, including a lady that is currently receiving treatment at the hospital. The two others were allegedly abducted at the Tipper Junction before they fled the scene.

?Meanwhile, the Command has sued for calm as the Operatives are already acting on some clues from the scene and leveraging on necessary information from some eyewitnesses for the possible arrest of the hoodlums. Further developments would be communicated, please.? (PUNCH)

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