The Anambra State Police Command has commenced a manhunt for the gunmen who allegedly killed popular comedian, master of ceremonies and media personality, Isaac Nwosu, popularly known as “Azia Nwosu”, and another unidentified man in Awka, the state capital.
The two victims were reportedly shot dead at separate locations in the city on Sunday night, August 30, 2026, according to the police.
The Punch reported that Nwosu was attacked along S.M. Okeke Street in the Amaikwo area of Awka, while the second victim was killed along Capital City Road, Amaenyi.
The motive behind the attacks remained unknown as of Monday, although the incidents reportedly triggered panic in the affected communities as residents fled amid sporadic gunshots.
Some residents and eyewitnesses, however, suspected that the killings could be connected to cult-related activities.
An eyewitness who spoke near the scene of Nwosu’s death said about three gunmen allegedly followed the comedian from his residence before intercepting his vehicle and shooting him.
“The assailants, numbering about three and driving in a tinted vehicle, trailed the comedian from his home, double-crossed his vehicle and later attacked him, shooting him dead. They left the victim in a pool of blood inside his car.
“As they drove some distance away, they also shot another victim dead by the roadside, dispossessed him of his belongings and fled.
“The assailants fired some shots into the air before leaving the scene, thereby creating tension in the area. After they left, security operatives arrived at the scene and recovered the lifeless bodies of the victims.
“The security operatives later beefed up security around the areas following the incident,” the eyewitness, who craved anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the incident, said.
Videos circulating on social media were also said to have captured the aftermath of the attacks, showing the victims’ bodies at the different locations as residents gathered around the scenes.
Confirming the killings in a statement on Monday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the command had stepped up efforts to identify and apprehend those behind the attacks.
Ikenga said, “The Anambra State Police Command has condemned in the strongest terms the gunshot attacks carried out by unidentified gunmen in Awka, the state capital, on Sunday, August 30, 2026, which resulted in the deaths of two persons.
“The command has consequently intensified the ongoing manhunt for the perpetrators and is calling for the support and cooperation of members of the public to assist in bringing the suspects to justice.
“Information gathered so far reveals that three unidentified persons, travelling in a silver-coloured Toyota Corolla, with registration number yet to be ascertained, reportedly shot two persons at separate locations within Awka.”
According to the police spokesperson, security operatives responded to a distress call, deployed patrol teams to the affected areas and began tracking the suspected attackers.
“Upon arrival at the scenes, the operatives recovered the bodies of the victims along Capital City Road, Amaenyi, and S.M. Okeke Street, Amaikwo, Awka, respectively.
“The victims were taken to a hospital, where they were subsequently confirmed dead by medical personnel.
“While one of the victims is yet to be identified, the second victim has been identified as Isaac Nwosu, male, also known as ‘Azia’.
“The operatives also recovered from the scene the sum of N7,550, one Moniepoint ATM card and a pair of slippers,” Ikenga added.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Nnanna Ama, condemned the killings and described them as unacceptable and a threat to the peace and security of Anambra.
Ama ordered that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka for a discreet and thorough investigation.
He also directed the relevant operational and investigative units to intensify efforts to establish the identities of the suspects and bring them to justice.
The commissioner subsequently held a two-hour closed-door meeting with strategic and operational officers of the command on Monday to assess intelligence gathered from residents, particularly in Awka, and strengthen security across the city and neighbouring areas.
Speaking after the meeting, Ama said the move was aimed at improving security operations and stepping up the fight against violent crime.
“The meeting is aimed at strengthening security operations and sustaining the fight against violent crime, and to intensify efforts towards identifying and apprehending the perpetrators,” he said.
Ama also visited Nwosu’s family to offer his condolences, describing the deceased as an asset to Anambra whose contributions would be missed.
The commissioner noted that Nwosu had supported the police command’s security advocacy initiatives and participated in activities designed to promote peace and security in the state.
He assured the bereaved family and residents that the police would pursue the investigation with determination.
Ama further appealed to members of the public to cooperate with security agencies and provide credible information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.
He added that the command had increased patrols, surveillance and intelligence-gathering operations across Awka and surrounding communities in an effort to prevent further attacks and apprehend the suspects.
