My son promised to end my suffering, but gunmen ended his life — Lagos trader cries
By Daylight
October 19, 2025
Ifechi
In this interview, grieving mother Ifechi Anamazobi recounts the life of her son, Chidindu Shedrack, an ambitious solar technician in training who had vowed to lift her out of hardship, but was tragically killed when gunmen stormed a barbershop in Ojo as he waited for his turn to get a haircut
Briefly tell me about yourself.
I’m 42 years old. Though I live in Lagos, I’m originally from the East. I am a petty trader, that’s what I do to take care of my children.
How many children do you have?
I have four children: three boys and one girl. My late son, Chidindu, was my first child. He was 18 years old. He was born on June 8, 2007.
What was he doing before his death?
He finished secondary school last year. He has also written JAMB. I advised him to learn a skill first before going to university because things have been financially difficult for me.
One of our neighbours is a solar engineer, so I pleaded with him to train my son. That was how Shedrack started learning solar installation, how to connect and install solar systems. He loved the work. He was serious, respectful, and quick to learn. His boss always praised him for being focused and dedicated.
Most of their jobs were outside Lagos. They often travelled to places like Port Harcourt and other states in the East. Sometimes, he would be away for a week or more. Each time he returned, he came back full of excitement, telling me how much he had learnt and how proud his boss was of him.
How long had he been learning the work?
He started in July 2024. By December this year (2025), he will have completed one year and six months. His boss had already started sending him on installations alone. He could now work independently. He had become very good at it.
He was a strong boy, very active, smart, and mature. Even as a teenager, he reasoned like an adult. He was intelligent in school and respectful at home. He didn’t keep bad friends. He didn’t like moving with people who wasted time or did bad things.
He loved cleanliness and order. Even though he was a boy, he kept the house cleaner than my daughter. When he returned from work, he would sweep, arrange things, and make everywhere neat. Once I entered the house, I would know he was home because everything would be in order.
He was also very caring. Whenever he earned a little money, he would share it; give some to his siblings, give me some, and still use part of it to buy things for the house. He loved to see everyone happy.
Did he have a good relationship with his siblings?
Yes, very much. He was their role model. The younger ones always looked forward to his return. Whenever he was around, there was laughter and joy in the house. He advised them, corrected them when they misbehaved, and made sure they were doing well in school.
When did you lose your husband?
It has been about nine years now. Shedrack was nine years old when his father died. Since then, life has been tough, but he gave me hope. He always told me that he would take care of me one day.
What happened on the day he was killed?
Last Saturday, October 4, 2025, started like any other day. He returned from a work trip that afternoon. He dropped his bag at home, plugged in his phone, and told me he was stepping out. I thought he went to my neighbour’s place. I didn’t know he went to the barbershop to shave his hair.
After a while, I started hearing gunshots and people shouting. Later, I heard that some boys had been shot. My heart started beating fast. Not long after, someone came running to tell me that my son had been shot.
When I got there, I couldn’t believe it. People said that about five armed men stormed the barbershop. They said the men claimed they were looking for someone. That person was not even known in our area. They found and shot the boy they were looking for. Unfortunately, my son and the barber were also shot.
They were rushed to the hospital, but my son died the next morning. The barber survived and was later transferred to another hospital for treatment.
That must have been a very painful experience.
Yes, very painful. I still cannot believe it. Every day I wake up thinking it’s a dream. He was not a troublemaker. He never fought anyone. I never heard of him having any argument or issue with anyone in our area.
He didn’t have any issues with anyone. He was always busy with his work. The only friend he had was his schoolmate named Chimeze. That boy wasn’t even around when it happened. My son was peaceful and hardworking.
Even the people in the area said they didn’t know the person who was shot first. They suspected he might have been a cultist, and those who came with guns were also cultists. But my son was innocent. He was just unlucky to be there at that time.
People told me that the barber was still cutting Shedrack’s hair when the gunmen came. They shot the stranger first, then shot my son and the barber. The apron was still on his neck when they shot him. He didn’t even have time to run.
What time did it happen, and where exactly?
Around 9:15 or 9:20 at night, at Market Bus Stop, Mebamu, in the Ojo area of Lagos. The street was quiet before the gunshots. People were afraid to come out immediately. By the time they rushed out, the killers had escaped.
What did the police do after the shooting?
It was the police who carried away the body of the stranger who died instantly. They also came to the hospital later. But since then, I haven’t heard much about the case. Nobody has been arrested.
I feel helpless. I’m just a poor widow. I don’t have anyone to fight for me. I only pray that God will expose those who did this. My son didn’t deserve to die like that.
I heard you moved away from the area afterwards?
Yes, their father’s elder brother took us away from there. Everywhere reminded me of him; his clothes, his shoes, everything. My heart felt heavy each time I looked at his things.
How are his siblings coping with the loss?
They are not doing well. They cry every time they remember him. The house is quiet now. He used to make them laugh and play with them. He guided them like a father. Now, they just sit and stare. My 16-year-old daughter sometimes looks at his picture and breaks down crying.
It is hard for all of us. Even when I try to be strong, I can’t. He was my helper, my hope, my first son. Sometimes I still expect to see him walk through the door and say, “Mummy, I’m back.”
What do you miss most about him?
I miss everything: his smile, jokes and kindness. He was playful but responsible. He cared so much for me. When he came home, he would say, “Mummy, rest, I’ll do the housework.”
He was so organised that I used to tell my daughter to learn from him.
He loved cooking sometimes, too. He would help in the kitchen, laugh, and tease everyone.
I miss his hugs. When he hugged me, it felt like his father was back. He had the same strength and warmth. I used to tell myself that my husband’s spirit was in him. That boy was my comfort. I was always happy whenever I saw him.
What promises did he make to you before his death?
He always promised to take care of me. He said that once he finished learning solar installation and started earning money, he would support me so I wouldn’t suffer again. I used to go to the market very early and return late, and he didn’t like it. He would say, “Mummy, when I start making money, you’ll stop suffering. You’ll stop going to that market every morning.”
He also promised to help his siblings and send them to school. I believed him because he was serious about life. He wanted me to rest, but I didn’t know he would rest before me.
What were his dreams for the future?
He wanted to become a military officer. Since childhood, he has always said he wanted to be a soldier. I tried to discourage him, but he was determined. Later, I told him that if he must join, he should go to the Navy instead of the Army. He agreed and said that after he is through with his training, he would apply to the Nigerian Defence Academy.
He used to write in his school essays that he wanted to serve Nigeria and protect people. That was his biggest dream, to wear the uniform one day.
How are you coping personally with his death?
Honestly, I am not okay. I am just trying to stay alive for my other children. There are days I can’t eat or sleep. I cry until morning. Sometimes, I imagine he’s still alive and working somewhere far away. Other times, I feel empty.
My husband died nine years ago. Since then, Shedrack grew up fast and took up great responsibility. I never thought death would take him before me.
What would you like to say to the government or authorities about what happened?
The government should protect innocent people. I lost my only hope. My son had done nothing wrong. If they didn’t allow my son to give me water, may their own children never give them water to drink.
The police should find those who did this. Those boys with guns move freely in our area. Many mothers like me are crying silently. I want justice for my son. I want his killers to face punishment.
Nigeria has become a place where young lives are wasted. We can’t keep quiet. My son had dreams; he wanted to build a better life, help me, and serve the country. But now, he’s gone.
I have taken everything as fate, but I know he didn’t want to leave me. He made many promises. He was just beginning his life. I pray God receives his soul and gives me the strength to live. Punch
