Tragedy struck in Anambra State on the night of Saturday, May 17, 2025, when gunmen stormed a brothel near Uli town, killing a soldier and a young boy. A young woman also sustained injuries from stray bullets during the attack.
The incident happened around 9:00 p.m. at a popular brothel known as “Uru Di Ya,” located close to Uli centre in the Awka area.
According to reports, the attackers arrived in two unidentified vehicles and opened fire, targeting security personnel in the area. A soldier on duty was shot dead on the spot. A little boy caught in the crossfire also lost his life. A young woman, who was hit by stray bullets, was rushed to the hospital. She is now stable and receiving treatment.
Security sources suspect the attackers to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), known for recent attacks on security agencies and public places in the South-East.
A joint team of police officers and local vigilantes responded swiftly to the scene, but the gunmen had already fled before they arrived.
In a positive turn, the AK-47 rifle of the slain soldier was recovered by a vigilante member who witnessed the incident. It was handed over to the Army captain in charge of counterterrorism operations in the area.
The Anambra State Police Command has not yet issued an official statement, but security operations have reportedly been intensified around Uli and neighbouring towns.
This attack adds to the growing concern over insecurity in parts of the South-East, where armed groups continue to target security forces and civilians alike.
