Gunfire broke out late Thursday night in Oko community, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria, leaving several people dead and others injured in what police have described as a cult-related clash. The incident, which occurred near Federal Polytechnic Oko, sparked panic across the community, with residents fleeing to safety.

According to a report by BBC News Pidgin, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed in a statement that the violence stemmed from a cult confrontation and resulted in two deaths. However, eyewitnesses and local sources reported a higher death toll, with some saying as many as five or more people were killed in the attack.

Videos appeared to show at least seven individuals lying motionless on the ground with visible injuries consistent with gunshot wounds. The footage circulated widely on social media, adding to concerns over growing insecurity in the region.

In a separate account, a staff member of Federal Polytechnic Oko, who requested anonymity, said two lecturers from the institution were abducted during the chaos. The staff member also stated that another polytechnic employee was receiving medical treatment for gunshot wounds at a local hospital.

The spokesperson for the Federal Polytechnic Oko, Ibe Nzimako, clarified that the shootings did not take place within the campus premises but in the surrounding host community. He confirmed that one of the abducted individuals was a lecturer and noted that none of the shooting victims were students.

He added that the rising wave of kidnappings and cult violence was not isolated to Oko, describing it as part of a broader trend affecting various parts of Nigeria.

This attack comes months after a similar incident occurred in October 2024 in Nibo community, also in Anambra State, where over 10 people reportedly died in a cult-related shooting.

The latest violence in Oko has raised security concerns as the state approaches its next governorship election. Oko is located just a few kilometres from Isuofia, the hometown of the current governor, Prof. Charles Soludo.

As of Friday morning, police said investigations were ongoing. There were no immediate reports of arrests.