15-year-old boy shot dead in Anambra market attack -

A 15-year-old boy has lost his life following an attack at Ogbakoba Market Arena in Anambra State, reportedly carried out by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

Security analyst Zagazola Makama disclosed the incident in a post on X on Sunday, stating that the attack occurred around 1:40 p.m. on February 21. According to him, gunmen emerged from a forest camp in the Amiyi community and began shooting sporadically at traders and residents in the market.

Makama said the assailants appeared to be attempting a kidnapping or robbery, triggering panic as people scrambled to escape. A joint task force stationed in Amiyi reportedly confronted the attackers in a gun battle, eventually forcing them to retreat into the forest, some believed to have sustained gunshot wounds.

The teenage victim was reportedly struck by a stray bullet during the exchange of fire. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival. His remains were subsequently deposited in a morgue for autopsy and preservation.

Attempts to obtain comments from the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered at the time of reporting.

The incident comes weeks after unidentified gunmen, suspected to be cultists, killed Ikwuka Okoye, popularly known as Anumili, the President-General of Ogidi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.