Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Carmen Diego
A 15-year-old boy has been killed following an armed attack at Ogbakoba Market Arena in southeastern Nigeria’s Anambra State, in an incident that has heightened security concerns across the region. The assault, which occurred in the early afternoon of February 21, has been linked by local security sources to suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, although authorities have yet to issue an official confirmation attributing responsibility.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, who disclosed details of the incident on social media platform X, the attackers stormed the busy market around 1:40 p.m. after emerging from a forest camp in the Amiyi community. Witnesses reported that the gunmen opened fire indiscriminately on traders and residents, triggering panic as people scrambled for safety. The market, a central commercial hub for surrounding communities, was crowded at the time of the attack, amplifying the chaos and fear.
Makama stated that the assailants appeared to be attempting a kidnapping or armed robbery operation before security forces intervened. A joint task force patrol team stationed in the Amiyi axis reportedly engaged the attackers in a fierce exchange of gunfire. Troops are said to have repelled the assault, forcing the gunmen to retreat into the surrounding forest with suspected gunshot injuries. The confrontation, however, resulted in the death of the teenage boy, who was struck by a stray bullet during the crossfire.
The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment but was pronounced dead on arrival. His body has since been deposited in a morgue pending autopsy and preservation procedures. Local residents described the incident as deeply traumatic, particularly given the age of the victim and the location of the attack within a public marketplace.
Efforts to obtain an official statement from the Anambra State Police Command were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. The Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, did not respond to phone calls or messages seeking comment. Security agencies in the state have, in recent months, maintained that they are intensifying patrols and intelligence-led operations to curb rising violence linked to armed groups and criminal gangs operating in forested areas.
The attack comes amid a broader pattern of insecurity affecting parts of southeastern Nigeria, where confrontations between state security forces and separatist-linked armed groups have led to sporadic violence. The Indigenous People of Biafra, which advocates for the secession of southeastern states from Nigeria, was declared a terrorist organization by the federal government in 2017. The group has consistently denied involvement in certain violent incidents attributed to it, but authorities maintain that its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, has been implicated in attacks on security personnel and public facilities.
Marketplaces and other civilian spaces have increasingly become flashpoints in the region’s security landscape. Residents in several local government areas have reported sporadic shootings, targeted assassinations and abductions, contributing to a climate of fear and economic disruption. Traders in Ogbakoba Market said commercial activity was temporarily suspended following the shooting as security forces conducted searches and ensured the area was secure.
Community leaders have called for enhanced security presence and improved intelligence gathering to prevent further incidents. They argue that forested zones bordering residential and commercial districts provide cover for armed groups and facilitate sudden incursions into populated areas. Some residents also expressed concern over the risk of stray bullets during gun battles between security operatives and attackers, emphasizing the need for tactical measures that minimize civilian casualties.
The latest tragedy follows another high-profile killing earlier in February within the state. Unidentified gunmen, suspected by authorities to be cultists, shot and killed Ikwuka Okoye, widely known as Anumili, who served as President-General of the Ogidi community in Idemili North Local Government Area. His assassination sent shockwaves through the community and prompted renewed calls for decisive security interventions.
Security analysts note that while the motivations behind various attacks may differ—ranging from separatist agitation to organized criminal activity and cult-related violence—the cumulative effect has been a steady erosion of public confidence in safety within parts of the state. The Anambra State government has previously pledged to deploy additional resources, including surveillance technology and community-based intelligence networks, to address emerging threats.
For families affected by the Ogbakoba Market incident, the broader security discourse offers little immediate comfort. Neighbors described the deceased teenager as a resident who had accompanied relatives to the market when the shooting erupted. His death has renewed conversations about the vulnerability of minors in volatile security environments and the long-term psychological impact on communities repeatedly exposed to violence.
Human rights observers stress the importance of transparent investigations into such incidents, including a clear determination of accountability where possible. They also underscore the need for proportional and precise security responses that protect civilian lives while countering armed threats.
As of late Sunday, security patrols had reportedly been reinforced in and around the Amiyi axis and adjacent communities. Residents were urged to remain vigilant and to provide credible information to law enforcement agencies to aid ongoing operations. No arrests had been publicly announced in connection with the market attack.
The killing of a young civilian in a public marketplace underscores the persistent fragility of security conditions in parts of southeastern Nigeria. Whether attributed to separatist-linked actors, criminal gangs or other armed elements, such incidents continue to test the capacity of state institutions to safeguard everyday life. For many in Anambra, the immediate concern remains restoring normalcy while preventing further loss of innocent lives.
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