Tension gripped residents around Agulu and Nanka communities in the Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, when some yet-to-be-identified assailants shot dead a lawyer and his client after a court session in the area.

According to eyewitnesses in the area, the attackers carried out the brutal killings without facing any opposition.

Although the circumstances surrounding the gruesome murder remain unclear, it was gathered that the lawyer was in court with his client in the morning but was killed moments later after they were trailed from the court after the court session.

One of the sources in the area said, “The case the lawyer was handling for the client was a very big case. The incident happened at a boundary between Nanka and Agulu, along the popular Amawbia-Agulu-Nanka-Ekwulobia-Uga-Akokwa road in the early hours of Thursday.

“The assassins first shot and killed the lawyer before shooting his client who came out of the car and was running for safety. The assassins immediately left the scene of the incident.”

When contacted on the development, the spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the development, adding that the police have launched a full investigation into the matter.

Ikenga added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, had visited the scene of the incident alongside a team of senior officers, adding that preliminary investigations suggested that the victims were attacked while returning from the court session, having been trailed and double-crossed by the assailants.

He said, “The CP on Thursday, May 15,2025, at about 11:30am, led a team of senior officers—including the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations and experienced detectives from the Command—on a visit to the crime scene at Egbebelu village, Nanka, Orumba North Local Government Area, where two persons were gruesomely murdered by yet-to-be-identified armed men operating on a motorcycle.

“The visit follows a reported incident involving the murder of two individuals, one of whom has been identified as a legal practitioner who had earlier secured the bail of an accused person in a pending murder case at High Court II, Ekwulobia.

“Preliminary investigations suggest that the victims were attacked while returning from the court session, having been trailed and double-crossed by the assailants.

“One of the victims survived the attack and is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital. The escapee has been debriefed by the Police and has provided crucial information that is aiding ongoing investigations and manhunt operations.

“The bodies of the deceased have been recovered and positively identified by their respective families. In the course of the preliminary investigations, a red Toyota Camry vehicle, believed to belong to one of the deceased, was recovered from the scene.”

According to him, the commissioner of police has ordered an intensive investigation into the incident and deployed tactical and intelligence teams to track down the perpetrators and ensure justice is served.

“Further updates will be provided in due course as the investigation progresses,” he added.

There is tension among residents of Ikakumo community in Akoko Northeast local government area of Ondo state over the killing of a herdsman during a clash with vigilance group in the locality.

Two other persons including Commander of the vigilance were injured in the clash.

Some residents in the community said they were afraid of reprisal attacks from the herdsmen.

It was gathered that the clash occurred when a member of vigilance group challenged a herdsman who last month kidnapped one Balogun at Ikakumo community in Edo state.

A fracas ensued between the herdsmen and the vigilance group with one of the herders was stabbed to death.

The two injured persons were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo.

Ondo Police spokesman, Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, confirmed the incident and said investigation has commenced.

The District Head of Odugbeho in Agatu Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state, Chief Anthony Adejoh has been murdered by suspected armed herdsmen.

Reports have it that the royal father and one Jerry John were gruesomely murdered Wednesday afternoon by the marauders at Otobi-Akpa in Otukpo LGA.

The duo were said to be working in their farms in Otobi when the marauders stormed the area and opened fire on them.

They were later discovered dead when the people who heard the sound of gunshots dashed to the scene and found them dead.

Confirming the development, the Chairman of Agatu LGA, Mr. Marvis Ejeh, said Chief Adejo was gruesomely killed on his farm at Akpa-Otobi by armed herders who invaded the area at about 10 am.

He described late royal father as a peace builder, an astute community builder and a community leader who would be greatly missed by all.

The Chairman said, “I can confirm to you that the district head of Odugbeho, Chief Tony Adej,o has been killed. He was killed by some armed herdsmen while working on his farm at Otobi in Otukpo LGA of the State.

“Despite hearing this ugly news, Odugbeho community is calm, our people are calm because we will not take law into our hands.

“Nobody is taking the law into their hands, there is no need for a reprisal attack because the incident did not happen at home. Agatu is calm and peaceful.”

The Agatu Chairman, who enjoined the people to be security conscious wherever they find themselves said “Agatu people residing and farming in other LGAs should be careful and watchful.

“They should liaise with the local authority and know the areas that are safe to work for now, since the government is trying to curb the issue of insecurity in the entire Benue South District or Zone c.”

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent, CSP, Chatherine Anene said she had yet received reports of the incident.