The Anambra State security outfit, Agunechemba, is facing fierce condemnation after being accused of killing three innocent workers in the Owerre-Ezukala community, Orumba South Local Government Area. The workers, from Imo State and Isuofia, Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s hometown, were said to be innocently engaged in construction work when they were mistakenly killed during an operation targeting suspected kidnappers and ritual killers. The community’s outrage is growing, as they demand justice for the lives lost.
The tragic incident unfolded when Agunechemba operatives, alongside local vigilantes, stormed Owerre-Ezukala as part of an operation aimed at apprehending notorious criminals allegedly hiding in the area. According to reports, the security squad mistakenly labeled the workers as “unknown gunmen,” despite the fact that the victims were engaged in a legitimate building project.
One of the victims, identified as Malachy Chimaobi Iwuanyanwu, was from Umueze 1 in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area, Imo State. His brother, Raymond Iwuagwu, described him as a skilled tiler and a humble, hardworking individual with no criminal history. Alongside him was his colleague, Odinkalu Chinonso, who was also from Imo State. The third victim, Kosisochukwu, hailed from Isuofia, Governor Soludo’s hometown in Aguata Local Government Area.
The workers were on a construction site when they were brutally killed during the raid. They were performing basic tiling and plastering work for a local resident, not involved in any criminal activity. This tragedy has left the community shaken, with many questioning the judgment and actions of Agunechemba.
According to eyewitness accounts shared on social media platforms like WhatsApp, the security forces did not engage the criminals hiding in the forest, as they claimed. Instead, they conducted their raid on a road leading to the community, where the workers were tragically caught in the crossfire. Community members expressed disbelief, claiming that no criminals or firearms were recovered, as would be expected in an operation targeting armed individuals.
One eyewitness narrated, “We saw the security forces arrive in large numbers, with multiple vehicles, but they didn’t go into the forest where the criminals are supposed to hide. They stopped along the road, and that’s where the killing occurred. We saw that these men were just innocent workers, not criminals.”
Local residents are now calling on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to intervene and ensure that security forces follow proper procedures, conduct thorough intelligence checks, and avoid further harm to innocent civilians. “We don’t want to relive the violent days of the Bakassi Boys and their indiscriminate killings,” a frustrated community member expressed. “Governor Soludo must make sure these security operatives do their job correctly.”
The community’s plea for justice was echoed by another resident, Monday Ogulu, who added, “These were artisans working on a building project. They were unarmed and had no reason to be caught up in a raid. Why didn’t Agunechemba follow proper intelligence? It’s a sad day for us all.”
Furthermore, the incident has sparked widespread concern about the effectiveness and accountability of Agunechemba, a security outfit that was set up by Governor Soludo to combat rising crime in the state. While the government insists that the security personnel are highly trained, the incident has cast a shadow over the squad’s operations.
For the grieving families of the victims, the pain of losing their loved ones is compounded by the false accusations that have followed their deaths. “They were just doing their job, earning an honest living. The fact that they have been labeled as criminals is not only painful but completely unjust,” said Raymond Iwuagwu.
In the aftermath of the killings, the Anambra State government did release the bodies of the victims to their families. However, the families and the wider community are still demanding justice and a full investigation into the actions of Agunechemba.
As the investigation continues, the people of Owerre-Ezukala are left to mourn the loss of three innocent lives and reflect on the deep scars that such brutality leaves behind. “Justice must be served for the victims of this senseless killing. We cannot allow this to happen again,” one resident concluded.
The Agunechemba security outfit, which was set up with the intention of safeguarding Anambra residents, now faces the daunting challenge of regaining the trust of a community that has been deeply scarred by this tragic incident. Whether justice will be served remains to be seen, but for now, the people of Owerre-Ezukala will continue to demand answers and accountability for the lives lost.
