Terror at Cozeyz Plaza: CCTV Captures Chilling Moment Armed Robbers Shoot Store Owner in Enugu

Panic gripped Cozeyz Plaza in Enugu State on Friday after a chilling daylight armed robbery was caught on surveillance camera, showing a group of masked gunmen raiding a popular gadget store and shooting the store owner at close range. The horrifying footage, which surfaced online shortly after the incident, has since sparked widespread outrage and fear among residents and business owners across the state.

The viral video, first posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), begins with what appears to be an ordinary day at the store—brightly lit, neatly arranged shelves, and customers possibly moments away from coming in or leaving. But in just a matter of seconds, chaos ensues. Three men, dressed in dark clothing and brandishing firearms, storm into the shop with chilling precision. The CCTV footage, timestamped and clear in detail, shows the robbers swiftly engaging the store owner, who appears startled but not immediately compliant.

What follows is a shocking moment that sent shivers down viewers’ spines—a flash from the muzzle of a gun as one of the robbers fires a shot directly at the owner. He collapses instantly behind the counter while the other assailants start to ransack the store. The leader of the group, clearly agitated, fires multiple warning shots into the air inside the premises, sending a deafening echo through the plaza and intensifying the terror.

The robbers, working quickly and methodically, shove laptops, mobile phones, and other high-end electronics into large black bags. Within minutes, they are seen exiting the store, hopping into a dark sedan parked just outside. The vehicle, notably without a license plate, speeds off before any bystander can get a clear view or attempt to intervene.

The incident reportedly happened in the early hours of the day, around 9:45 a.m., a time when many stores were just opening for business. Eyewitnesses who arrived moments after the robbers fled described the scene as a "war zone" with shattered display glass, scattered gadgets, and a man fighting for his life behind the counter.

“The gunshots were terrifying,” said Chinedu, a food vendor located just two stores away. “I thought it was fireworks at first, but then I saw people running and heard someone shout ‘they shot him!’ That’s when I knew something terrible had happened.”

Security personnel stationed at the plaza were nowhere in sight during the attack, prompting serious questions about the adequacy of protection at commercial centers in the area. Shoppers and tenants at Cozeyz Plaza lamented the lack of uniformed presence and surveillance coordination that might have helped prevent or quickly respond to such a violent intrusion.

In a statement released later in the day, the Enugu State Police Command confirmed that they had received a report of the incident and were reviewing the CCTV footage as part of their ongoing investigation. Police spokesperson DSP Daniel Ndukwe assured residents that efforts were underway to identify and apprehend the criminals, appealing to the public to provide any useful information.

“We have launched a manhunt for the suspects and are working with forensic experts to analyze the video evidence,” said Ndukwe. “We strongly condemn the reckless act and assure the public that justice will be served. No one who takes part in such a violent and inhumane act will go unpunished.”

Meanwhile, the store owner, whose identity was initially withheld for privacy reasons, has been confirmed alive but in critical condition. He is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Enugu, where doctors are said to be doing everything possible to stabilize him.

The incident has reignited conversations about rising insecurity in urban centers, particularly in Southeast Nigeria, where economic hardship and under-policing have created fertile ground for criminal activity. Many social media users, shocked by the brazenness of the attack, called on the government and security agencies to act decisively before more lives are lost or businesses destroyed.

"This is no longer petty theft—these are organized, militarized robbers operating with impunity in broad daylight," posted @EjikemeSays on X. "If a store can be raided and a man shot at 10 a.m. in the middle of town, where are we safe anymore?"

Other users expressed concern that the license plate-less vehicle may indicate the use of stolen or unregistered cars in such crimes, making it harder for law enforcement to trace perpetrators.

The violent robbery has also put business owners on high alert. Several shopkeepers within and around Cozeyz Plaza have reportedly closed their stores indefinitely, citing fear and uncertainty. Some have begun installing more advanced security systems, while others are pushing for a collective contribution to hire private security operatives for round-the-clock surveillance.

Local civil society groups have criticized the slow response of security agencies to previous similar cases and have called for swift reforms to prevent the state from slipping deeper into lawlessness. "We cannot allow violence and criminality to become normalized in our communities," said Ifunanya Eze, a spokesperson for the Enugu Urban Watch Forum. "The footage should be enough evidence to launch a targeted operation and ensure these men are brought to justice swiftly."

Though CCTV footage has helped provide a clearer view of what happened inside the store, authorities are now appealing for additional footage from surrounding businesses that might reveal the robbers' approach or escape route. Forensic analysis of the bullets, fingerprints, and other materials left behind at the scene is reportedly ongoing.

As investigations continue, the heart-wrenching reality remains that a man simply trying to make an honest living was violently attacked in his own place of business, a place that should have been safe. The fear that now lingers at Cozeyz Plaza speaks volumes about the fragile state of security in Nigeria’s cities.

With the video still circulating widely, many are hoping it serves as more than a moment of shock, but a wake-up call. A call to secure Nigerian cities, to support small business owners, and to ensure that no one walks into their store in the morning, only to leave it on a stretcher.