By Paul Ebi
Orumba South, Anambra State – A peaceful voting process in Owerre Ezukala Ward 1, Orumba South Local Government Area, Anambra State, was violently disrupted on Saturday afternoon when a councillor representing the community was reportedly shot and killed by unknown gunmen. The incident occurred around 1:30 PM as the councillor attempted to cast his vote.
Eyewitnesses described a shocking scene as the gunmen stormed the polling unit, opened fire, and fled immediately after targeting the councillor. While the Anambra State Police Command has yet to officially confirm the incident, local community leaders confirmed that the attack has caused widespread outrage among residents.
Odogwu Odemenna, a prominent community leader, said, “My ward is in flames as we speak. The councillor of my Ward was shot dead this afternoon while he was trying to cast his vote. The community is outraged over this unfortunate incident. Security operatives were present, but they couldn’t stop the hoodlums.”
Odemenna added that authorities have been notified and security personnel, including policemen and soldiers, are currently pursuing the perpetrators. “A day like today, security shouldn’t have been porous in Orumba South Local Government Area to even give the hoodlums the opportunity to strike. The election was going peacefully until this incident happened,” he noted.
Another community leader, who requested anonymity, corroborated the account: “While voting in Owerre Ezukala Ward 1, unknown gunmen came in and shot a top person and left. The councillor of Owerre Ezukala was fatally shot by the men.”
As of the time of filing this report, the Anambra State Police have remained silent. SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Command’s spokesperson, did not respond to calls or messages seeking comment on the incident.
The shocking attack has raised serious concerns about voter safety and security during the ongoing governorship election in Anambra State.
