Tragedy struck in Owerre Ezukala community, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, as a councillor was reportedly shot dead by unidentified gunmen during the ongoing governorship election.
The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. at Owerre Ezukala Ward 1 while the councillor was attempting to cast his vote.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed the polling centre and opened fire, hitting the councillor at close range. The chaos that followed sent voters and election officials running for safety.
Though the Anambra State Police Command is yet to officially confirm the incident, community leaders have expressed outrage and grief over the killing.
A community leader, Odogwu Odemenna, described the scene as “a tragedy that could have been prevented,” adding that security personnel were present but unable to stop the attackers.
He said, “My ward is in flames as we speak. The councillor of my ward was shot dead this afternoon while trying to cast his vote. The community is outraged. Security operatives were on ground when it happened, but they couldn’t stop the gunmen.”
Odemenna further noted that police and soldiers had been deployed to the area in pursuit of the suspects. “We have reported to the police and other security agencies. Security shouldn’t have been this porous on an election day. Everything was peaceful until this incident,” he added.
Another community source, who preferred not to be named, confirmed the incident, saying, “While voting was ongoing in Owerre Ezukala Ward 1, some armed men came in, shot the councillor, and fled immediately.”
As of the time of filing this report, the Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra State, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, had yet to respond to calls or text messages seeking his comment on the development.
