Army major killed, while battling unknown gunmen in Anambra

Nigerian Army on Sunday lost a major who is identified as Major Churchill Orji, while battling with unknown gunmen in the troubled Azia axis in the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The death of the top military officer was confirmed by one of his schoolmates who revealed his name as Leonard Edu on social media on Monday.

He wrote, “He was my senior in Agulu Boys Secondary School. Our labour is perfect then. It’s true he was killed by gunmen at Azia, in Ihiala LGA.

Another person who is familiar with the late soldier confirmed, saying: ”Rest in peace my brother from Nneogidi village, Agulu, Major Churchill Orji.

The post said, he was killed on Sunday
at Azia/Ukpor defending the South-East from the marauders.

Again, another source said, “An Anambra indigene Major C Orji was killed in Ihiala/Azia axis by gunmen.”

Father(God), we are at your mercy in Anambra state. May the soul of Major C Orji rest in peace.

Ihiala axis, bordering Imo State, where the army major was reportedly killed has been notorious for the activities of people suspected of being Biafra agitators.

However, normalcy had in the past two months gradually returned to the area before the recent development, following the killing of the suspected leader of the dreaded gunmen called ‘Double Lion’, operating from the Orlu area of Imo State through some communities in Ihiala and Nnewi South in Anambra.

Double Lion and four members of his gang were killed by a suspected rival group at Ihiala in June at a time moving around the state had become frightening.

It was gathered that Double Lion originally belonged to the mainstream gunmen, but later formed another more daring group.

His group was the one allegedly terrorizing most communities in Anambra South Senatorial zone and forcing people who have functions to pay them hundreds of thousands of naira before such functions could take place.

Once the money was paid, organizers of the event were strictly warned never to invite security operatives.

Meanwhile, Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, said, the Command was yet to confirm.