Maduako Igbokwe l Monday, April 19, 2021
ONITSHA, Anambra, Nigeria – At least two policemen and three hoodlums were on Monday killed in Ukpo, Dunukfia Local Government Area of Anambra State when gunmen attacked Zone -13 Police Headquarters in the State .
Also four persons suspected to be cult members were gunned down in what some have described as cult war in Awka, Anambra state capital on Sunday night. The Zone 13 attack, according to sources happened in the early hours of Monday.
One of the buildings in the police headquarters was razed by the hoodlums, while no fewer than four vehicles were burnt.
“The hoodlums invaded the zonal Headquarters at Ukpo in the early hours of Monday but our gallant men repelled the attack. In the process, they killed two of our men, while our men gunned down three of the attackers , but they quickly carried them and zoomed off
“Those hoodlums came in their numbers totaling over 20 but our men were equal to the task ” he said. Another Policeman said, “Our men prevented them from having access to our armory. I can’t tell you the number of casualties now because we have scanty information about the development” the source said.
We gathered that one of the attackers was armed with General Purpose Machine Guns GMPG, which was recovered by the police. Reacting to the incident, spokeperson for the Zone 13, DSP Nwode Nkeiruka said that the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to Zone-13 Headquarters, Ukpo, Anambra State successfully repelled an attack on the Zonal Headquarters by criminal elements in the early hours of Monday .
According to her, the attackers, who came in their numbers shot sporadically in order to gain access into the facility, but they were repelled by police personnel on duty who showed gallantry in the face of the seemingly overwhelming attack.
” Following the inability of the attackers to access the facility, they cowardly threw petrol bombs and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on vehicles within the periphery of the Headquarters. One of the criminal elements was neutralized during the exchange of gunfire between the police and the attackers while many of the gang members escaped with gunshots injuries.
“ One L7A2 General-Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), Ninety-two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, one locally-made smoke pistol and an axe were recovered by the Police. Regrettably, two police operatives sustained gunshot injuries and are presently receiving treatment” she said .
Meanwhile the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Police Command, CP Kuryas Monday, who is also standing in for the Zonal Assistant Inspector General of Police, has commended the Police operatives for putting up a strong resistance against the attackers.
The CP, supported by other senior officers from Zone-13 Headquarters and the State Command, personally led a special operation aimed at tracing, identifying and arresting the perpetrators to bring them to book.
He also called on proprietors of private and public (including unorthodox) medical facilities in and around Anambra state to admit, but report anyone found seeking medical attention for bullet wounds and related injuries to the nearest police station. The CP also called on citizens in the State not to panic but to go about their lawful duties.
He further assured the Command’s resolve to re-dominate, reclaim and secure all public spaces as directed by the Inspector General of Police in Nigeria. He also enjoins members of the public to continue to support the police with vital and timely information on the activities of criminals and other subversive elements within their respective communities.
Reasons for the attack could not be ascertained at the time of filling this report. In a related development, four persons were killed in Awka on Sunday night by yet to be identified gunmen. But the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochukwu, while confirming the incident, said it was a case of cult clash
He said five suspects have already been apprehended by the command, while the matter is still under investigation. He said those behind the dastardly act would not go unpunished, adding that the command would not fold it’s arms and allow miscreants take over Anambra State.
The four victims were killed in different locations in the Capital City of Awka. While one of the victims was shot and killed at the popular Unizik junction, the others were gunned down at different points at Ifite, all in Awka South local government area of the state. We gathered that one of the victims, was a fitness instructor in one of the gyms in the town and a Councilor in one of the local government areas in the state.
