Gunmen Attack Local Town Hall in Anambra, Killing One and Sparking Fresh Fears Over Insecurity
The tranquility of Amesi, a peaceful community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, was violently shattered late Thursday night, April 24, 2025, when unidentified gunmen launched a brazen attack on the town’s primary gathering venue, ASCON Hall. The assault left at least one person dead, several vehicles burned, and countless residents traumatized, reigniting fears over the deepening insecurity gripping Anambra State and the broader southeastern region.
According to eyewitness accounts, the attack began around midnight. Residents reported hearing sporadic gunfire as the attackers descended on ASCON Hall, where a number of vehicles, including motorcycles, were parked. In a matter of minutes, what had been a center of communal pride was transformed into a scene of devastation.
The victim, tragically caught in the crossfire, has been identified as Nnaka Chinonso, a native of Udo Village in neighboring Akpo. Chinonso, sources say, was merely passing by when he was fatally struck. His death has sent ripples of grief across not only Akpo and Amesi but the entire Aguata area. Chinonso’s mother hails from the well-known Nweje family of Obinato, Amesi, linking him deeply to both communities affected by this senseless violence.
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Photos and videos from the scene, circulated widely on social media, depicted the extent of the destruction. Charred remains of three vehicles and two motorcycles littered the grounds of ASCON Hall. Walls riddled with bullet holes bore silent testimony to the ferocity of the gunfire exchange. In the aftermath, a heavy cloud of fear and uncertainty settled over Amesi, a town hitherto known for its hospitality and communal unity.
In the wake of the attack, prominent figures quickly descended on the town to offer condolences and assess the damage. Among them was Valentine Ozigbo, a respected Nigerian business leader and a leading contender in the upcoming 2025 Anambra gubernatorial elections. Accompanied by the Area Commander, Divisional Police Officer (DPO), the town’s President General, and a throng of concerned citizens, Mr. Ozigbo expressed deep sorrow over the incident.
Standing before the smoldering ruins of ASCON Hall, Mr. Ozigbo delivered an impassioned address to the community and the media.
“My heart is heavy as I reflect on the tragedy that struck my beloved hometown, Amesi,” he said.
“A soul with dreams, a story, and a family—cut down in an instant by the cruelty of insecurity that continues to haunt our land.”
Mr. Ozigbo did not shy away from calling for action. While commending the bravery of the security forces who responded to the assault, he issued a direct challenge to Anambra State’s sitting governor, Chukwuma Soludo, urging him to intensify efforts in securing lives and property across the state.
“Anambra is still bleeding,” Mr. Ozigbo lamented.
“Our towns, our villages, our people—still live under the shadow of fear. Suppressing news of attacks does not stop the violence. Artificial bandaids will not heal wounds that run deep. The blood of Ndi Anambra cries out. We must listen. And we must act.”
As of the time of this report, the Anambra State Government had not released any official statement addressing the attack or laying out potential plans for enhancing security measures in Amesi and surrounding communities.
Amesi, like many other towns in Anambra, has been grappling with rising insecurity for years. Once considered one of the safest corners of Nigeria’s volatile southeast, Aguata and its environs have seen a steady uptick in violent incidents, often fueled by a volatile mix of separatist tensions, criminal opportunism, and political rivalries.
Residents who spoke to our correspondents in Amesi voiced frustration, fear, and a deep sense of abandonment. Many questioned whether state and federal authorities still retained the capacity—or the will—to protect ordinary citizens from escalating violence.
One resident, a middle-aged trader who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation, voiced the collective anguish of the town.
“This cannot continue. We deserve to sleep without fear. We deserve leaders who will fight for our safety, not merely manage our pain.”
Another elder from Udo village in Akpo, mourning the death of Chinonso, recounted the devastating impact of the attack.
“He was a good boy, full of life and ambition. Now his dreams have been stolen. His family is shattered. His village is in mourning. How many more must we bury before something is done?”
The Amesi attack, devastating as it is, fits into a larger pattern of violence that has engulfed Anambra State in recent years. Following the nationwide #EndSARS protests of 2020 and subsequent crackdowns, the southeast became fertile ground for separatist agitations led by groups like the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). While IPOB has repeatedly denied involvement in violent attacks, splinter factions and criminal elements operating under the guise of political agitation have increasingly turned to violence as a means of asserting control or settling scores.
Observers point to a dangerous vacuum in local governance and security operations that has allowed such actors to thrive. Traditional institutions have been weakened, local vigilante groups have been overwhelmed, and overstretched security agencies often find themselves reactive rather than proactive.
Analysts warn that without a holistic strategy combining security, economic empowerment, political dialogue, and community engagement, attacks like that in Amesi could become all too common.
Dr. Chika Onwudiwe, a security expert at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, said:
“What we are witnessing is the gradual collapse of social order. When people lose faith in the state’s ability to protect them, they either flee, arm themselves, or succumb to anarchy. The government must recognize that we are at a tipping point.”
In Amesi, the immediate concern for most residents is how to rebuild and heal. Plans are already underway by community leaders to organize a town-wide day of mourning for Chinonso, as well as a series of security meetings to explore community-driven solutions.
Some have suggested reviving and re-equipping the local vigilante group, while others call for increased collaboration with federal security forces. However, many express skepticism, citing previous instances where government promises failed to materialize into tangible improvements.
For now, fear hangs heavily in the air. Parents worry about sending their children to school. Traders hesitate to open their shops. Daily life, so recently returning to normalcy after years of pandemic disruption, feels once again precarious.
As Valentine Ozigbo and others have emphasized, the tragedy at ASCON Hall must serve as a wake-up call—not just for the Soludo administration, but for all who dream of a secure and prosperous Anambra.
“Our land has always been blessed with beauty, ingenuity, and resilience,” Mr. Ozigbo said.
“But no amount of riches can substitute for safety. No dream can thrive where fear reigns. We must come together—across party lines, across villages, across generations—and reclaim our peace.”
Meanwhile, residents light candles and say prayers for Chinonso and for all those living under the shadow of violence. They wait for action. They hope for peace. They demand a future where such tragedies will be confined to the past.
Amesi is one of the historic towns in Aguata Local Government Area, which also includes notable communities like Ekwulobia, Aguluezechukwu, and Akpo. The town is known for its vibrant cultural festivals, academic achievements, and diaspora community.
Aguata as a whole is considered the socio-political heart of Anambra South Senatorial Zone, often producing influential figures in business, politics, and education. But like much of the southeast, Aguata has suffered from the broader insecurity that swept across the region in the past five years.
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As one traditional ruler from a neighboring town summarized:
“The crisis of security is a crisis of governance. When people lose hope in leadership, violence finds fertile ground.”
The Amesi incident has once again underscored this grim reality.
The attack could have significant political ramifications ahead of the November 2025 Anambra gubernatorial elections. Candidates like Valentine Ozigbo have seized the moment to highlight security failures under the current administration, positioning themselves as champions of the people’s safety.
For Governor Chukwuma Soludo, a former Central Bank governor who came to office with high expectations, the crisis represents a critical test of leadership. How he responds in the coming weeks could define his political legacy—and possibly his party’s future in Anambra State.
Already, opposition parties are sharpening their critiques, painting Soludo’s government as out of touch with the everyday suffering of Ndi Anambra. Whether this perception gains ground may depend largely on how quickly and decisively the government acts in response to the Amesi tragedy.
Observers warn that political leaders must resist the temptation to politicize the suffering of ordinary citizens.
As Ozigbo emphasized:
“This is not about politics. It’s about humanity. It’s about whether our children can dream again without fear.”
The attack on ASCON Hall in Amesi is not merely an isolated tragedy—it is a symptom of a much deeper malaise. It raises urgent questions about leadership, security, and the future of Anambra.
For the grieving family of Chinonso Nnaka, for the frightened residents of Amesi, and for countless others across the southeast, the answers to these questions cannot come soon enough.
The spirit of Amesi—resilient, proud, and hopeful—endures. But it needs more than prayers and promises. It needs action. It needs change.
It needs peace.
Gunmen Attack Local Town Hall in Anambra, Killing One and Sparking Fresh Fears Over Insecurity
AMESI, Nigeria — Unidentified gunmen attacked a major town hall in Amesi, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State late Thursday, April 24, 2025 night, setting vehicles ablaze and killing a passerby, deepening public anxiety over rising insecurity in the region.The assault, which took place at ASCON Hall, the primary gathering venue for Amesi, began around midnight and left scenes of destruction that have rattled the local community.Eyewitnesses described chaos as the attackers stormed the hall, burning at least three vehicles, 2 motorcycles and firing sporadically.The slained victim has been identified as Nnaka Chinonso from Udo Village in Akpo. His mother a member of the Nweje family from Obinato Amesi, in Aguata LGA.Photos and video footage of the incident, widely circulated across social media and made available to news outlets, show charred vehicles, bullet-riddled walls, and a community reeling from shock.Valentine Ozigbo, a respected Nigerian business leader and Anambra 2025 governorship hopeful, was present at the site alongside the Area Commander and Divisional Police Offer in charge of the area, as well as the President General and many other indigenes of Amesi, condemned the attack in a heartfelt statement on Saturday, calling it a “tragedy that strikes at the very heart of our humanity.”“My heart is heavy as I reflect on the tragedy that struck my beloved hometown, Amesi,” Mr Ozigbo said.“A soul with dreams, a story, and a family—cut down in an instant by the cruelty of insecurity that continues to haunt our land.”While commending the bravery of security personnel who responded to the attack, Mr. Ozigbo issued a pointed call to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to intensify efforts to secure the state.“Anambra is still bleeding,” Mr. Ozigbo added.“Our towns, our villages, our people—still live under the shadow of fear. Suppressing news of attacks does not stop the violence. Artificial bandaids will not heal wounds that run deep.”He added, “The blood of Ndi Anambra cries out. We must listen. And we must act.”The Anambra State Government has not yet issued an official statement regarding the attack as of the time of publication.Amesi, like many towns across the state, has been grappling with sporadic violence in recent years, driven by a mix of separatist tensions, criminal activity, and political unrest.Thursday night’s attack has reignited calls among residents for comprehensive security reforms.“This cannot continue,” said a local resident who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal.“We deserve to sleep without fear. We deserve leaders who will fight for our safety, not merely manage our pain.”As the community of Amesi mourns, pressure is mounting on state authorities to confront a security crisis that shows few signs of abating.
