Gunmen Kill Anambra Architect Days Before Mother’s Burial

A tragic incident has thrown the town of Nnewi, Anambra State, into mourning as prominent architect, Asomba Andrew Egbuonu, was shot and killed by unidentified gunmen just four days before his mother’s burial.

Egbuonu, a highly regarded Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (FNIA) and a Port Harcourt-based professional, had returned to his hometown to make final arrangements for his late mother’s funeral. The attack occurred on Sunday, November 17, 2024, leaving him with fatal gunshot wounds.

The devastating news was confirmed by the General Secretary of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Chike Chamberlain Ibeanu, in a statement that expressed deep sorrow over the loss. “It is with a painful and heavy heart that I announce the death of our brother, Arc. Asomba Andrew Egbuonu FNIA, KSJ,” Ibeanu wrote.

Egbuonu was an influential figure in his field, serving as Chairman of the Architectural Exhibitions and Competitions Committee of the NIA and a former Chairman of the Rivers State chapter. His death has shocked colleagues and the wider community, who are struggling to comprehend the senseless act of violence.

The late architect had been preparing for his mother’s burial, scheduled for Thursday, November 21, when he was attacked near Nnewi. Details about the perpetrators remain unclear, and authorities have yet to provide further information on the incident.

Ibeanu urged fellow architects and friends to pray for the peaceful repose of Egbuonu’s soul and for his family to find strength in this tragic time. The shocking loss of such a respected professional has highlighted ongoing concerns about security in the state.

What should have been a solemn week of remembrance for his late mother has turned into a period of unbearable grief for the Egbuonu family and the architectural community at large.