Two officials seized by unidentified gunmen a week ago in the southern Nigerian state of Anambra were declared dead by a state governor on Sunday.

Anambra governor Chukwuma Soludo stated in a statement that the remains of two officials, including a member of the state house of assembly, were discovered near a hamlet in the state’s Nnewi South local government area on Saturday.

According to local media accounts, the two were abducted on May 15 along a route in the state’s Anaocha local government region.

Soludo decried the deaths and urged locals to assist in locating the kidnappers.
“Against the powers of darkness, Anambra will triumph. I encourage the people of Anambra to prepare for all-out fight against criminals “he stated.

Armed attacks are common in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, resulting in civilian and security officer deaths and abductions.