Claim
An online publication, Politics Nigeria, on September 30, 2025, reported that 14 political assassinations have been recorded in Anambra State within two years.
Verification
To verify this claim, we reviewed reports from multiple reputable media organisations and independent research bodies.
Media Corroboration
A review shows that the report was also published by major national outlets including Punch Newspapers and The Guardian.
- Punch carried the headline: “14 political assassinations recorded in Anambra in two years – Report”
- The Guardian published a similar story entitled: “14 political assassinations recorded in Anambra in two years.”
Both referenced findings from a report by the CLEEN Foundation, a reputable Nigerian civil society organisation known for its work on security and governance research.
About the Source – CLEEN Foundation
The CLEEN Foundation (formerly Centre for Law Enforcement Education in Nigeria) is a non-governmental organisation founded in 1998.
The foundation’s mission is to promote public safety, security, and accessible justice through empirical research, advocacy, and strategic partnerships with government, civil society, and the private sector.
Over the years, CLEEN has gained credibility for producing evidence-based security and justice reports that inform public policy and law enforcement reforms.
Further Findings
While the CLEEN Foundation report does not publicly list all 14 victims by name, follow-up research across reliable media outlets revealed several confirmed cases that align with its findings.
Below are some of the documented incidents of politically linked killings in Anambra State between 2022 and 2025:
1. Okechukwu Okoye (aka Okey Okoye)
- Position: Member, Anambra State House of Assembly (Aguata II Constituency)
- Incident: Abducted on May 15, 2022, and later found dead. His severed head was discovered at Nnewi South Local Government Area.
- Source: TheCable, Premium Times
2. Cyril Chiegboka
- Position: Aide to Okechukwu Okoye
- Incident: Kidnapped alongside Okoye and also found dead.
- Source: TheCable
3. Harira Jibril and Her Four Daughters – Fatima (9), Khadijah (7), Hadiza (5), and Zaituna (2)
- Incident: Killed during the May 2022 attack in Orumba Local Government Area, in the same wave of violence that claimed Okoye’s life.
- Source: BBC, Wikipedia
4. Abdullahi (Trader)
- Incident: Reported as one of the victims of the May 2022 killings.
- Source: Wikipedia
5. Justice Azuka
- Position: Member, Anambra State House of Assembly (Onitsha North I Constituency)
- Incident: Kidnapped on December 24, 2024; his decomposing body was found on February 6, 2025, near the Second Niger Bridge.
- Sources: The Street Journal, Vanguard
Context
Security experts and civil society organisations have repeatedly linked the rise in political killings in Anambra to pre-election rivalries, weak law enforcement, and growing insecurity in the South-East region.
Analysts also argue that the trend points to broader governance and justice system failures, where perpetrators of politically motivated violence are rarely investigated or prosecuted.
CLEEN Foundation’s data underscores the urgent need for:
- Stronger security intelligence coordination,
- Protection for political actors and journalists, and
- Improved prosecution of politically motivated crimes in Nigeria.
Verdict:
The claim that 14 political assassinations occurred in Anambra State between 2022 and 2024 is TRUE.
The figure originates from a credible report by the CLEEN Foundation and is corroborated by multiple reputable Nigerian media outlets, including Punch and The Guardian.
While the full list of victims has not been made public, verified cases and consistent media documentation confirm that politically motivated killings have indeed occurred within the stated timeframe.
Conclusion
The CLEEN Foundation’s report and independent media verification provide credible evidence that Anambra State has recorded significant politically linked violence in the past two years.
The trend highlights the urgent need for increased political accountability, justice for victims, and sustained civic engagement to curb electoral violence ahead of future polls.
