The Anambra State Police Command on Thursday, launched an intensive manhunt for armed insurgents who infiltrated from a neighbouring state and killed two Police Personnel on 28th December 2023 at about 18.30 hours.
In what was described as bloody Thursday, the gunmen invaded Uga community in the Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, kidnapping people freely, while allegedly being in operation for hours without any form of resistance.
According to an eyewitness, the gunmen, who came through the Umunze-Umuchu axis, upon sighting a group of policemen coming up from EZINIFITE axis, opened fire and gunned down two of them.
But according to the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, the gang members, who disguised in military fatigue and seemed to be on a kidnap mission, were jolted on seeing two armed Police officers approaching their direction.
“They opened fire on the officers who had moved ahead of the convoy they were escorting to decongest traffic gridlock.
“Other personnel returned fire, careful not to hit many motorists who were in traffic, forcing the bandits to flee,” he said.
Ikenga said the Police-led mobile Forward Operating Base which had been on intensive patrol of the entire area throughout Christmas Celebrations promptly responded to the scene.
The statement read; “It recovered a Lexus SUV the gang operated with and defused an improvised explosive device found in the vehicle.
“It also recovered an AK-47 RIFLE belonging to one of the slain personnel, because they made away with the two AK-47 rifles of the slain police officers.”
The Anambra Police spokesperson recalled that the state Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye who had declared the weekend and Christmas holidays as special working days for all Officers and men in the Command, has commended all personnel for their tireless and courageous effort in securing the people of Anambra State.
“The CP urges them not to be demoralized by the supreme price paid by their colleagues from Enugu State Command but to draw inspiration from their bravery in confronting the criminal gang.
“He condoled with the families of the deceased officers and Enugu State Police Command and vowed that the personnel will not die in vain.
“He has urged all officers and men of Anambra State Police Command to redouble their efforts and remain vigilant. He assured that technology would be employed to track down the criminals who unleashed the attack on Police personnel.
“The Commissioner of Police encouraged the good people of Anambra State not to allow the incident to create fear in their minds but to continue with various activities they had slated for the yuletide season,” he said.
