Gunmen operating in Anambra State on Tuesday night shot dead an unidentified man, abducting one more from his vehicle.

The two men were attacked in Ifitedunu community, Dunukofia Local Government Area, while travelling in a Nissan SUV with Lagos registration number; SMK 439 HJ.

This happened the same day that the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo announced total war against criminals in the state while also giving amnesty to repentant criminals.

A viral video circulating on social media showed the body of the slain man in the car, while the driver who was travelling with him was abducted by the criminals.

Members of the Ifitedunu community vigilante who rushed to the scene said the incident happened around 8pm. A voice in the video said the men were chased from a neighbouring community to Ifitedunu by men driving an ash-coloured Lexus Jeep.

They said items in the car showed that the men were returning for Christmas while calling on anyone who knew the vehicle or the slain occupants to come for them.

As of the time of filling this report, the Anambra State Police Command was yet to react to the incident.

The Ogun State Police Command said it has arrested a suspected ritualist, identified as Monday Ogunniyi, for the abduction of one Regina Oladeyo in the Oja Odan area of the state.

The suspect, a resident of the Okegbala area in Oja Odan, was arrested following a complaint filed by one Oladeyo Idowu.

The police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, told DAILY POST on Tuesday that, upon receiving the information, officers of the command swung into action and found the victim at the residence of the suspect.

According to the spokesperson, Ogunniyi, during interrogation, confessed to the abduction and alleged that he and the complainant were involved in rituals using human remains.

Odutola said: “On December 16, 2024, at about 4:30 pm, a man named Oladeyo Idowu from School 4 Area, Oja Odan, came to the police station to report a case of abduction involving Monday Ogunniyi, who resides in the Okegbala area of Oja Odan.

“During questioning, Monday Ogunniyi confessed to the abduction but also claimed that he and the complainant were involved in rituals using human remains.”

She noted that, following the revelation, a team of detectives visited the site, where they discovered a dried human skeleton draped in female clothing near a river in the Afige area of Oja Odan.

Odutola added that the suspect provided a confession implicating Oladeyo Idowu regarding the storage and dismemberment of the corpse.

She, however, noted that the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Eleweran for further investigation and likely prosecution.

Dr. Fabian Osita, a lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, was shot dead during a carjacking incident in Anambra State.

The attack occurred on Monday night near the high-tension area in Aroma, Awka, as the lecturer was driving home from work.

Eyewitnesses reported that unidentified gunmen intercepted his vehicle, a Toyota Corolla, and shot him in the head when he resisted their attempt to steal the car.

According to reports, the armed men double-crossed his car and tried to snatch it. He resisted, and unfortunately, they shot him in the head, killing him instantly. They abandoned his body and fled with the vehicle.

Dr. Osita, who lectured in the Business Department at UNIZIK, was mourned by his colleagues and the university community.

The institution’s Chief Security Officer, Ken Chukwurah, confirmed the incident and stated that members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at UNIZIK were planning to protest the rising insecurity in Awka.

Chukwurah added that the incident happened at about 7:30 pm on Monday in Aroma. It was a case of car snatching. The loss has left the university in mourning. It is important to note that the killing occurred outside the campus.

The Anambra State Police Command also confirmed the incident. Police spokesman SP Tochukwu Ikenga revealed that investigations have commenced to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

Ikenga said, “Anambra State Police Command has begun the investigation over the murder of Mr Fabian Osita. Information revealed that Osita, a staff of the University of Nnamdi Azikiwe was shot by yet unidentified gunmen yesterday 16/12/2024 at 10:10 pm at Aroma Junction.

“The murders also made away with his car, a Corolla 2006 model, Ash colour with an Enugu Plate number. To this end, the Command while condoling his family and friends, especially the Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, calls on anyone with any useful information that can aid the investigation to please come forward in this regard.

“The command also urged members of the public who might have seen the vehicle or any such to report to the closest police station or call the command control room number on 07039194332 or PPRO on 08039334002. Further development shall be communicated, please.”

The police assured the public that further updates would be provided as investigations unfold.