Night of Terror in Oko: Gunmen Kill 2, Abduct 2 in Suspected Cult War Near Anambra Polytechnic

Chaos gripped the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, late Thursday night as gunmen suspected to be cultists launched a deadly assault at Total and Tipper Junctions, killing two people on the spot, abducting two others believed to be lecturers, and leaving several injured in the heart of Orumba North LGA, Anambra State.

Eyewitnesses recounted a harrowing scene at exactly 8:40 p.m. on June 19, when the attackers—riding a motorcycle and a black Lexus 350 SUV with no license plates—opened fire indiscriminately on unsuspecting students and bystanders. Panic erupted as bullets flew across the densely populated area, forcing people to flee into nearby streets and buildings for safety.

At least two individuals, including a female student, were confirmed dead, while two others were abducted near the Tipper Junction. Authorities suspect the attackers targeted their victims in a planned reprisal linked to an ongoing cult rivalry that has been festering for months around the institution.

A joint security operation comprising personnel from the Police, Army, Navy, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and local vigilantes has now been deployed to comb the area. Police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the development in a statement issued from Awka on Friday, assuring the public that security operatives are actively pursuing actionable leads.

Ikenga said, “The Area Commander of Aguata is coordinating the response, with the Joint Security Force fully engaged. Two persons were rescued alive, including a young woman currently undergoing treatment in a nearby hospital.” He added that the attackers fled the scene immediately after executing the abductions.

Locals who witnessed the scene said the gunmen appeared “confident and organized,” suggesting a premeditated attack. Several shops and transport kiosks near the affected junctions shut down abruptly, as rumors of further attacks spread like wildfire across the town throughout the night.

Federal Polytechnic Oko, one of the busiest campuses in the southeast, has witnessed sporadic cult-related violence in recent years. Student groups have repeatedly called on authorities to beef up security in and around the school’s environment, citing threats that have grown beyond student rivalries to include external criminal gangs.

The Anambra Police Command has urged residents to remain calm and assist security agencies with credible information. Meanwhile, families of the abducted individuals are yet to receive any communication or ransom demands, heightening fears that the incident may be tied to deeper underworld conflicts.