A man identified as Dr. Osita Chinedu, a lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), was shot dead on Monday evening in Awka, the capital of Anambra State, by suspected members of a car-snatching syndicate.

Witnesses near the High Tension area in Aroma, where the incident occurred, reported that the assailants struggled with Dr. Chinedu, demanding his car keys before shooting him. It is unclear whether the attackers stole his car, but it was confirmed that he died at the scene around 7 p.m.

A UNIZIK staff member who alerted colleagues about the incident shared the news, stating, “Yes, someone was shot dead along High Tension this evening. They say he’s a lecturer from UNIZIK, from Nteje. Please, Comrades, let’s stay safe this Yuletide. If they come for your car, surrender it—our lives are more important.”

Another staff member, reacting with anger and speaking anonymously, said, “A colleague and fellow sports enthusiast was shot dead last night. This is no longer a joke. We and our children are no longer safe in this state. This is the capital city!”

As of the time of writing, the Anambra State Police Command, led by SP Tochukwu Ikenga, had not issued a statement regarding the incident.