On Sunday, October 1, 2023, about 9 p.m., after most people had already gone home for the evening, the attack reportedly took place.
Davidson Malison, the Irigwe Development Association's (IDA) national publicity secretary, confirmed the attack in a statement on Monday and described it as a sad continuation of the state's destruction of lives and property.
"The gunmen stormed the community at about 2010hrs, positioned and sprayed bullets on the bodies of innocent people while sleeping," the witness claimed.
"Within minutes, further evil was committed, resulting in around eight fatalities and five injuries. Hospitals are where they are being treated.
The Rigwe Nation is not only pained by this regrettable development and incident, but also profoundly disheartened in light of the Rigwe people's history of peace and hospitality, he added.
Danjuma Avu described the tragic incident and how the attackers shot at the people in the tiny market square, killing two of his children and six other relatives.
Avu claims that after killing those outside the building, the assailants entered the structure and shot his children who were taking medication as well as two other people.
The injured are being treated at the hospital while the deceased, who included five men, one woman, and two youngsters, have been laid to rest in the village cemetery.