Panic and outrage engulfed Ifejike Street, close to Biafra Market in Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Thursday following the tragic and controversial killing of a 12-year-old boy by a member of Udo Ga-Achi, a security outfit operating under the Anambra State government.
According to eyewitness accounts, the young boy, whose identity had not been confirmed as of press time, was seated on a culvert separating Biafra Market from the Nwangene drainage channel. He was reportedly on his way to ease himself when he was suddenly and fatally shot by one of the operatives.
Following the shooting, the officer involved—believed to be attached to the Onitsha South Local Government—allegedly attempted to flee the scene with his team in a pickup van. However, their escape was thwarted by an enraged crowd of traders, residents, and local vigilante members who quickly gathered at the scene.
Eyewitnesses said the lifeless body of the child lay in a pool of blood while chaos ensued. The crowd insisted that the security team must not abandon the body at the scene, and demanded that the operatives be held responsible for what they described as a senseless and deliberate act of brutality.
The tension escalated as the number of angry onlookers grew, with more market traders and members of the local vigilante group arriving in protest. Facing overwhelming pressure and outnumbered by the crowd, the security operatives eventually yielded and were forced to carry the boy’s corpse into their vehicle before they were allowed to leave the area.
One vigilante member, who identified himself simply as Nwadibia, expressed concern about potential misattribution of blame. “If Operation Udo Ga-Achi had refused to carry the boy’s body, fingers could have been pointed at us,” he said. “That was why we insisted they must not escape that responsibility.”
Another eyewitness described the operatives as notorious for similar extrajudicial actions. “They are known for killing innocent people and denying it afterward. This time, they didn’t even try to defend themselves. They knew they were guilty. If they weren’t, they would’ve tried to disperse the crowd, maybe even fire shots. But they didn’t. That silence said everything.”
In a video that has since gone viral on social media, two members of the Udo Ga-Achi outfit can be seen lifting the young victim’s body into their patrol van. The vehicle is identifiable by the operation number ANSG 0060, toll-free hotline 112 5111, and mobile contact 0800 220 0008, clearly visible on the truck.
One visibly distraught trader, Magnus Okoli, condemned the incident in strong terms. “This is pure madness,” he said. “The boy wasn’t even up to 15 years old. He was just a child. There was no threat, no provocation. He was trying to relieve himself and they just shot him. It wasn’t an accident—this was deliberate. The distance between where they parked and where he was makes it clear the shooter aimed intentionally.”
He continued, “If they suspected anything, they should have approached and asked questions. But instead, they pulled the trigger without warning. This act wasn’t just avoidable—it was barbaric, reckless, and inhumane.”
The community is now demanding a thorough investigation into the killing and for those responsible to be brought to justice. As of the time of this report, there had been no official statement from the Anambra State government or the leadership of the Udo Ga-Achi security team regarding the incident.