DPO, 5 Others Gunned Down In Fresh Anambra Attack

It was reported that the hoodlums stormed the police facility at about 2:18a.m. and engaged the police officers in a gun duel. The police, with the help of military men, reportedly repelled and killed three of the hoodlums during the attack.

It was learnt that the DPO, a newly recruited constable and one inspector were the victims. The attack comes less than 24 hours after gunmen attacked the 3-3 Police Divisional office in Oyi local government council, where about six of the hoodlums  were killed.

A source in the area said the hoodlums started shooting as they approached the police station and the gunshots lasted for several hours. The source said: “In the early hours of today, these hoodlums made another deadly attempt to burn down Isiowulu Police station, Awada, near Obosi, Anambra State.

“The hoodlums were repelled by gallant security personnel with three members of the gang taken down after a hot gunfire.” Two AK-47 rifles  were recovered from them alongside the vehicles used for the operation.

Another source said, “It was terrible last night for people living close to the station, it was as if war had come close to us. Gunshots from different directions.

“This morning, I inquired and learnt that the gunmen had  invaded the station, set some part of the station on fire, and killed three policemen.”

Confirming the incident,  spokesperson for Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said four policemen  died during the attack, while  three members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) were also killed during the operation.

“Today 20/02/2023 at about 02:20 a.m.,  gunmen suspected to be IPOB/ESN, attacked Awada Police Station in Idemili North Local Council of Anambra State using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and automatic firearms.

“In response to the attack, police operatives attached to Anambra State Command engaged the assailants jointly with troops from 302 Artillery Regiment of the Nigeria Army in a gun duel and three members of the outlawed IPOB/ESN were fatally wounded while three Kalashnikov rifles and one Automatic Pump Action gun were recovered from them.“Other items recovered from the assailants, include a brown Lexus 330 with reg no. GWA 415BB ABJ, one unregistered KYMCO motorcycle suspected to be stolen properties, charms and other incriminating items.

“During a mop-up operation by police/military operatives, two male suspects reasonably believed to have participated in the attack were apprehended.

“Regrettably, four police operatives paid the supreme price while a section of the station, one police patrol vehicle and three exhibit vehicles parked in the premises were set ablaze by petrol bombs thrown into the station by the assailants,” he added.

Ikenga said the state’s Commissioner of Police, Echeng  Echeng, has already visited the scene, adding that after conducting spot assessments, he ordered the immediate deployment of all the command’s operational/investigative assets to track down fleeing members of the murderous gang.

He said that the CP has appealed to residents of Awada and  people of Anambra State to remain calm as the police, in collaboration with sister agencies, would not rest on their oars until the criminal elements tormenting the state were brought to justice.