Panic spread across the Agulu and Nanka communities in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State on Thursday as gunmen shot and killed a lawyer and his client shortly after a court session.
According to eyewitnesses, the duo had just left the courtroom when they were followed and attacked by unidentified assailants.
The shooting occurred along the Amawbia–Agulu–Nanka–Ekwulobia–Uga–Akokwa road, near the boundary between Nanka and Agulu.
“The case the lawyer was handling for the client was a very big case,” a local source revealed.
“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.”
While the exact motive behind the attack remains uncertain, the police confirmed that the victims were trailed after the court appearance and ambushed.
Anambra State Police Command spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident.
He said the state Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, visited the scene accompanied by senior officers and detectives to oversee preliminary investigations.
Ikenga explained, “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.”
He further disclosed that one of the victims was a legal practitioner who had just secured bail for a murder suspect at High Court II, Ekwulobia.
The victims were reportedly attacked while on their way back from court.
“Preliminary investigations suggest that the victims were attacked while returning from the court session, having been trailed and double-crossed by the assailants,” Ikenga said.
He added that one of the individuals involved in the incident managed to survive and is receiving medical attention.
The survivor has been interviewed by investigators and has shared key information aiding police efforts.
“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 police recovered a red Toyota Camry believed to have belonged to one of the deceased at the scene. The remains of the victims have also been identified by their families.
Ikenga concluded, “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.”
