Five people, including two members of a local vigilance group, a bouncer, and two patrons, were killed in a shooting at a nightclub in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State on Monday morning.
The incident occurred around 2:00 AM on Monday, according to the state Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye.
Police responded to a distress call and arrived at the scene to find the victims, deceased. The attackers had already fled.
Adeoye confirmed that the owner of the club was also abducted during the incident. He described the attack as “unfortunate” and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We have seen a pattern; the gang was responsible for a similar incident where the victim’s body was dismembered about two weeks ago in Ihiala.
“We have an idea of the axis they are operating from, we are going to crack them down, no arrest has been made and investigation is ongoing
“Oba has always been a flashpoint because of the thriving nightlife, lots of hotels and strategically located, so we intend to deploy additional assets and personnel to that axis, especially this yuletide, to make sure criminals do not make life miserable for people,” he said.
The police commissioner acknowledged the challenges of securing the area due to its thriving nightlife and strategic location. He stated that additional police personnel will be deployed to the area, especially during the upcoming holiday season, to deter further crimes.
Adeoye also addressed the broader issue of societal values and their impact on crime.
“The decay in values is not strange to the people but unfortunately, we have to live with the consequences,” he said.
“Community leaders and religious leaders should step up the campaign against immorality, unnecessary show of affluence, and criminality.
“Investigation has shown that most of the money you see on display in night clubs are not legitimately earned, most are proceeds of crime, so we all have work to do, a law enforcement agency, we will continue to do our part.’’
Mr Chidozie Nwangu, a native doctor known as ‘Akwa okuko tiwara aki’ was kidnapped in his hotel room in Oba in July in a similar attack which resulted in the killing of two security guards.
NAN
