It was a bloody day at Umuike village Ubahuekwem Ihiala, Anambra State on Monday, 30th December 2024 as gunmen murdered seven persons and injured many.
The dastard act took place as Onuchukwu family was preparing the funeral of their matriarch whose burial ceremony was slated for 2nd January, 2025.
According to eyewitness account, preparations were in top gear on that fateful day as family, friends and relatives gathered at the country home of the Onuchukwus ahead of their mother’s burial.
Suddenly, a convoy of motorcycles stormed into the busy compound shooting sporadically at the mourners. At the end of the horrific attack, over seven persons were gunned down in cold blood with corpses of victims littered on the ground.
Policemen and local vigilante security operatives were among the victims.
Also among the victims were the first son of Onuchukwu family, Mr Donatus Onuchukwu, a Port Harcourt based oil and gas billionaire, Mr Oluebube, a popular Ihiala based entrepreneur and funeral undertaker and many others.
A source disclosed that Mr Donatus Onuchkwu became a target for the vicious attack because he did not contact and cooperate with gangs in Ihiala ahead of his mother’s burial rather he opted to hire police and army escort.
Eyewitnesses suggested the attack may be linked to a directive by the gunmen prohibiting burial ceremonies without their approval. While the motive remains unclear, the incident has heightened tensions in the community.
Anambra State Police Command Spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the attack in a statement and said the Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Itam, has ordered an immediate manhunt for the perpetrators.
The gunmen, while fleeing, also attacked a security observation post near the Local Government Headquarters, injuring two security operatives. The assailants also set the popular Nkwogbe Market on fire.
