₦airaland Forum

Enugu community in tears as assailants kill indigene with package believed to be parcel bomb in Awada, Anambra state
Sunday Ayogu was allegedly killed on January 14, 2025 in his house in Onitsha.

Catholic priest of the community, Rev. Fr. Dr. Paulinus Ogara condemns the act, calls for urgent solution to the escalating security in Nigeria
Call it a re-enactment of Dele Giwa tragic assassination, you may not be entirely wrong.

But, the alleged tragic assassination of Sunday Ayogu, a successful businessman and an indegene of Isi-Uvuru village in Ugbene-Ajima community, Uzo-Uwani local government area of Enugu state in Awada, Onitsha in Anambra state has left many indigenes in mourning.

WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that the incident which happened on January 19, 2025 has become another manifestation of alleged breakdown of security in Anambra state following the rising case of criminal activities like kidnapping, armed robbery and killings in the state.

According to our source, the deceased was allegedly killed by his assailants through a parcel bomb delivered to his house that fateful Sunday.

Sunday Ayogu: Killed with parcel bomb
Our source explained that the situation was very much usual as neither the community nor the country has witnessed such killing except in 1986 when Dele Giwa was alleged assassinated.

In his reaction to the alleged assassination, the first Catholic priest of the community, Rev. Fr. Dr. Paulinus Ogara expressed his shock over the ugly incident.

Rev. Fr. Dr. Ogara lamented the increasing incidents of killing in the country while asking the authorities concerned to stop the menace.

In his words, “the people of Ugbene-Ajima were thrown into mourning two days ago upon receiving the shocking news of the assassination of Sunday Ayogu, popularly known as Blessed Sunnytex, via parcel bomb in Awada, Onitsha, where he lived with his family.”

Explaining further, Dr. Ogara stated that “Blessed Sunnytex, a successful trader in Onitsha, was a native of Isi-Uvuru village, Ugbene-Ajima, Uzo-uwani LGA of Enugu state.

“According to his son, who witnessed the incident, Blessed Sunny had gone downstairs after receiving a call when a man dressed in black, with a black cap, handed him a package.

“As Blessed Sunny was about to put the package away, it exploded, injuring him severely. He fell to the ground, bleeding profusely. The unknown assailant was heard shouting “fire! fire!” as he fled the scene, apparently attempting to distract potential witnesses.

“The brutality of the attack has sent widespread panic through the community, and the town has been gripped by tension ever since.”

Going down memory lane, the erudite Catholic priest narrated that “this method of killing is chillingly reminiscent of Dele Giwa’s tragic assassination in 1986, the last recorded incident of its kind in this region.

“The similarity between the two incidents is unsettling, stirring memories of a dark era many thought had been left behind. This disturbing parallel raises a haunting question: Is Nigeria witnessing a resurgence of parcel bomb terrorism?

Giving the economic and social implications of such assassination and even any such killing in the society, Dr. Ogara explained that “the use of parcel bombs as a means of assassination is particularly disturbing, as it targets individuals in their homes or offices, leaving them vulnerable and defenceless.

“This method of attack also has a ripple effect, creating a climate of fear and uncertainty among the public.

“If left unchecked, parcel bomb terrorism could undermine Nigeria’s national security, threaten press freedom, and erode public trust in the government. Journalists, activists, and politicians could become targets, which could silence critical voices and stifle dissent.

Furthermore, the use of parcel bombs could also have economic implications. As businesses and individuals become more afraid of receiving parcels or packages, they may begin to avoid using postal services and online shopping platforms. This, in turn, could exacerbate the country’s economic challenges.”

However, proffering solutions to the escalating security situation in the country, Ogara said that “to prevent further attacks and ensure public safety, the Nigerian government must take immediate action to investigate Blessed Sunny’s assassination and bring the perpetrators to justice. This will send a strong message that such acts of terrorism will not be tolerated.

“The government must also work to prevent future attacks by enhancing intelligence gathering and sharing, as well as strengthening security measures around potential targets. This could include increasing surveillance, providing security training, and establishing a national threat assessment centre.”All said and done, Blessed Sunny’s assassination is a grim reminder that the threat of terrorism is still very real in Nigeria. This disturbing echo of the past raises concerns about a potential resurgence of terrorism. We ignore the warning signs at our peril. Nigerians must remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.”

Nevertheless, WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that few minutes after Sunday was rushed to the hospital, he was declared dead by the health official in the hospital. His body has been deposited in the mortuary.

However, the Anambra state police command is yet to react to the alleged assassination even a the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO of the state command, Tochukwu Ikenga could not pick his calls when our reporter called him on phone.

Sunday Ayogu was allegedly killed on January 14, 2025, in his house in Onitsha.

WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that the incident which happened on January 19, 2025

MadamExcellency:
Bloggers and reporting no go kill person. You need an editor, even if it's your friend or sister.

zero8zero:
https://www.withinnigeria.com/2025/01/18/enugu-community-in-tears-as-assailants-kill-indigene-with-parcel-bomb-in-anambra/?amp=1

zero8zero:
Is this the first time in your life that you will observe typo errors in a reportage. You ignore the incident but focusing on the date.

zero8zero:
Is this the first time in your life that you will observe typo errors in a reportage. You ignore the incident but focusing on the date.

atobs4real:
May God help Anambra.

Iweakbro:
This is what Ned nwoko wants to add us to?

MadamExcellency:
Bloggers and reporting no go kill person. You need an editor, even if it's your friend or sister.

Bede2u:
Do you ever report on the insecurity plaguing your Yoruba states? What is the weird obsession for?

zero8zero:
Is this the first time in your life that you will observe typo errors in a reportage. You ignore the incident but focusing on the date.

hopexter:
The date tells the incidents so it shouldn’t be ignored. Thus is not a typographical error, it’s poor journalism.

Lifestone:
Instead of condemning this horrible act, you've started measuring di.ck !