A heartbreaking incident occurred in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, where Bright Ezechukwu, a groom-to-be, was brutally killed by gunmen less than 24 hours before his wedding.
Bright, accompanied by his fiancée, Chinwendu, best man, and chief bridesmaid, had traveled to Ihiala town on November 22, 2024, to finalize wedding preparations. The couple’s highly anticipated ceremony was scheduled for the following day, November 23.
While returning to the Uli community in Ihiala, Bright stopped at Ezego junction to refuel his motorcycle, unaware of the looming danger. Moments later, two armed assailants on a motorcycle attacked him.
Eyewitness Account of the Incident
According to witnesses, the gunmen ordered Bright to surrender his possessions, including his phone, personal items, and motorcycle. Despite complying with their demands, Bright was shot twice in the head, leaving him lifeless near Sky Prince Petrol Station along the Onitsha-Ihiala-Owerri expressway.
“They took everything, even the food he had packed for the night. Despite his pleas and explanation about his upcoming wedding, they killed him in cold blood,” a distraught witness recounted.
Bright’s younger brother narrated the sequence of events leading to the tragic discovery. His best man, realizing Bright was no longer following the group, retraced his steps and found him lying in a pool of blood at the junction.
“Bright was a kind soul, always ready to sacrifice for peace. These criminals robbed him of his belongings, his dreams, and his future,” the brother lamented.
The heinous crime has left the community of Ihiala in shock and mourning. Bright’s untimely death highlights the increasing insecurity in the area, sparking calls for immediate action from authorities to address the growing threat of armed violence.
As family and friends grapple with the loss of Bright, who was on the brink of starting a new chapter as a husband, the tragedy underscores the fragility of life and the urgent need for enhanced security measures in the region.
