Gunmen Abduct and Mur5der Only Son of APGA Women Leader in Anambra
Tension has gripped residents of Anambra State following the abduction and subsequent murder of the only son of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Women Leader. The tragic incident occurred late Saturday night, July 26, 2025, in Ezinifite village, located in Okpuno, Awka South Local Government Area.
According to eyewitness accounts, the victim, a well-known local businessman and entrepreneur, was at his residence when a group of heavily armed assailants stormed the premises around 10:30 p.m. The attackers reportedly arrived in an ash-coloured Lexus SUV, forcefully broke into the compound, and shot the victim in the leg before abducting him.
In a shocking twist, the gunmen used the victim’s own navy blue Toyota Corolla to transport him out of the area. The attackers allegedly fled through a bush path leading toward Nawfia community, successfully evading initial efforts by local security operatives to intercept them.
The victim was later confirmed dead, sparking outrage and mourning in the Okpuno and Nawfia axis, as well as among APGA loyalists. He was the only son of the APGA Women Leader, a high-ranking figure in the party structure and a respected grassroots mobilizer.
Local sources revealed that the assailants did not make immediate contact with the family, nor was there any ransom demand issued before the victim was found dead. The circumstances of his death have fueled fears of targeted political violence, personal vendettas, or gang-related operations.
A community member who spoke on condition of anonymity described the mood in the village as “deeply shaken,” saying the deceased was well known and respected for his entrepreneurial drive and generosity.
“This is not just a random crime,” the source added. “This is a message. People are afraid, especially political figures and their families. If the son of such a high-profile party woman can be taken and killed like that, then no one is really safe.”
The Anambra State Police Command confirmed the incident and has since launched a manhunt for the perpetrators. According to a police spokesperson, investigators are already pursuing leads, including the direction the vehicle was last seen heading, phone tracking data, and CCTV footage from nearby locations.
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Community vigilante groups and operatives of local security networks have joined forces with state security to comb surrounding areas, especially forested zones suspected to serve as hideouts for criminals.
So far, no arrests have been made, but security presence has been significantly heightened in the Okpuno-Nawfia axis, with checkpoints established on key entry and exit routes. Road users and residents have been advised to cooperate with security checks and to report any suspicious activity or individuals.
The APGA Women Leader, who has yet to issue a formal statement, is said to be in deep grief. Close associates report that she is receiving support from fellow party leaders, women political groups, and friends across the state.
Party sources disclosed that the state chapter of APGA is preparing a formal response to the tragic development. A party official, who spoke off record, condemned the murder as “brutal, senseless, and a direct attack on the family of one of our most committed leaders.”
“This is beyond heartbreaking,” the official said. “She has given her all to the party and the community. To lose her only child in this horrific way is an unspeakable pain.”
Calls have begun to mount for the Anambra State Government to take firmer action against rising insecurity in peri-urban areas, particularly in Awka South, Njikoka, and nearby communities that have become increasingly prone to violent crimes, kidnappings, and armed robbery.
Several human rights and civil society organizations have also decried the incident. A spokesperson for one of the groups, the Southeast Security and Justice Coalition, said:
“We demand a full-scale investigation into this gruesome act. The fact that such a crime could be carried out in such a calculated manner shows a level of impunity that must be crushed. The killers must be brought to justice swiftly.”
As condolences continue to pour in from party members, civic leaders, and political stakeholders across the state, the tragedy has further exposed the vulnerabilities of politicians and their families amid rising violent crime rates in the region.
This is not the first time high-profile individuals or their relatives have been targeted in the state, raising fears of a new wave of politically motivated attacks or opportunistic crimes disguised as political vendettas.
Meanwhile, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and town union executives have called for calm and cooperation with law enforcement. In an emergency meeting held at the community town hall, local leaders appealed for unity and vowed to support security efforts in fishing out the perpetrators.
“Justice must be done,” one of the elders said. “This is not just a family tragedy; this is a blow to our collective peace and security. We will not allow criminals to take over our communities.”
Anambra Governor is expected to issue a statement on the matter, with growing public calls for a dedicated security task force to tackle rising criminal activity across rural and urban fringes of the state.
As of press time, the burial arrangements for the victim have yet to be announced.
This is a developing story.