Anambra Community Accuses Agunechemba Security Outfit of Killing Three Innocent Workers

Residents of Owerre-Ezukala in Anambra State’s Orumba South Local Government Area have accused the Agunechemba security outfit of killing three innocent workers and wrongly labelling them as unknown gunmen. The victims, identified as Malachy Chimaobi Iwuanyanwu and Odinkalu Chinonso from Imo State, and Kosisochukwu from Isuofia, were in the area for a building project when they were killed during a security raid.

Eyewitnesses and community members condemned the operation, calling it a reckless exercise that lacked intelligence. They insisted that the victims were artisans—tilers and a handrail installer—who had no connection to criminal activities. Residents have called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to ensure that security operatives adhere to proper procedures to prevent further loss of innocent lives.

The security raid was reportedly part of a joint operation by the Agunechemba Security Squad and local vigilantes targeting suspected kidnappers and ritual killers. According to SaharaReporters, nine people were arrested during the operation, which focused on hideouts in Owerre-Ezukala. However, community members argue that the raid was poorly executed and resulted in wrongful arrests and killings. They claim the security operatives did not enter the forest where criminals were believed to be hiding but instead raided homes and work sites within the community.

Several residents shared their accounts through audio messages on WhatsApp, expressing shock and frustration. Some described the incident as an invasion that left innocent people dead and others wrongly arrested. One resident, Monday Ogulu, stated that the three workers were killed inside the building where they were working, not in the bush where the gunmen were allegedly hiding. He added that other innocent individuals, including NYSC corps members, were also arrested but later released.

Raymond Iwuagwu, a resident of Umueze 1, Ehime Mbano, identified two of the victims as his kinsmen, emphasizing that they had no criminal records. He described Malachy Chimaobi as a hardworking and humble tiler who was highly respected in their community. Iwuagwu insisted that the killings were extrajudicial and demanded justice for the victims. He also revealed that the Anambra State government had released the bodies of the deceased to their families on Friday.

A video obtained by SaharaReporters allegedly shows a member of the Agunechemba security squad boasting about killing two of the victims inside the building where they were working. However, when contacted, Mr. Christian Aburime, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Soludo, dismissed the allegations, stating that the security outfit is well-trained and does not kill innocent people. He promised to look into the matter but had not provided further updates as of the time of reporting.

Attempts to reach the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls. Meanwhile, the affected community continues to demand an independent investigation into the killings and justice for the victims.