Chaos erupted on Thursday night as armed assailants, suspected to be cultists, unleashed terror on students and staff of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, leaving a trail of blood, fear, and unanswered questions in their wake.
The attack, which unfolded at the bustling Total and Tipper Junctions near the institution, sent shockwaves through the community, claiming at least two lives, injuring several others, and leaving two lecturers in captivity. Eyewitnesses described scenes of pandemonium as gunmen, arriving on a motorcycle and in a black Lexus 350 SUV without license plates, opened fire indiscriminately on unsuspecting victims.
According to multiple sources, the assailants struck at approximately 8:40 p.m., a time when students and residents were still active around the commercial hubs near the school. Witnesses recounted how the attackers moved with chilling precision, spraying bullets before allegedly abducting two individuals believed to be lecturers.
“They came suddenly, shooting everywhere. People were running, screaming—it was complete madness,” said a student who narrowly escaped the violence. “Nobody knew where to hide. Before we could process what was happening, some were already on the ground.”
Among the victims was a young woman who sustained severe injuries and is currently fighting for her life in an undisclosed hospital. The two confirmed fatalities have yet to be officially identified, but unverified reports suggest they may include a student and a bystander caught in the crossfire.
The Anambra State Police Command swiftly confirmed the incident, deploying a joint security task force comprising the Army, Navy, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and local vigilantes to restore order.
In a statement released by Police Spokesman SP Tochukwu Ikenga, authorities assured the public that investigations were underway, with operatives pursuing leads from eyewitnesses and forensic evidence.
“We have already gathered critical intelligence from the scene and are working tirelessly to track down these criminals,” Ikenga stated. “We urge the public to remain calm and assist with any information that could lead to their arrest.”
While police have labeled the attack as cult-related, the brazenness of the assault—targeting a crowded student area and abducting lecturers—has raised concerns about deeper security lapses. Cult-related violence has plagued Nigerian higher institutions for years, but the abduction of academics introduces a troubling new dimension.
Students and faculty members at Federal Polytechnic, Oko, are now demanding urgent action from both school management and security agencies. Many fear that without decisive intervention, such attacks could escalate.
As families grieve and the injured struggle to recover, the broader community is left grappling with anger and frustration. Local leaders and student unions are calling for an emergency security summit, while social media has been flooded with demands for justice under hashtags like #SecureOkoNow and #EndCultViolence.
For now, the streets of Oko remain tense, with increased police patrols and uneasy whispers about whether the attackers will strike again. As authorities vow to bring the perpetrators to justice, the people of Anambra are left wondering: Who will be next?
