Tragedy struck on Monday evening as Dr. Osita Chinedu, a lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, was shot dead by suspected car snatchers in the High Tension area of Aroma, Awka, Anambra State.
Eyewitnesses reported that the gunmen confronted the lecturer, demanding his car keys. After a brief struggle, the attackers shot him at close range. It remains unclear if the perpetrators succeeded in escaping with the vehicle. The incident occurred around 7 pm, and the victim was confirmed dead on the spot.
A UNIZIK staff member, who raised the alarm to colleagues, confirmed the incident, urging caution during the festive season. “If they come for your car, surrender it. Our lives are important,” he advised.
Reacting to the tragic news, a visibly distraught colleague lamented the rising insecurity in Anambra State. “This is no longer funny. We and our children are no longer safe in this state, not even in the capital city,” he said.
The Anambra State Police Command, through its spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga, is yet to issue an official statement on the matter as of the time of filing this report.
This incident has sparked fresh concerns over security lapses in Awka, especially during the Yuletide season, when criminal activities tend to rise.
