By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Incidents of attacks and killing of security operatives in Anambra State in the last two months heightened yesterday, Thursday, March 18, 2021, with the killing of unspecified number of soldiers and policemen in different locations in the state.

While the soldiers were killed at an outpost in Awkuzu, policemen were killed at a checkpoint in Neni.

A source who resides in Awkuzu area said that guns belonging to the soldiers were all carted away after their killing.

“I got to Awkuzu junction on my way to Awka shortly after the incident. There was a kind of pandemonium as people ran in fear of being shot.

“The incident caused serious traffic jam. We were there for close to two hours.”

It was gathered that guns belonging to the slain police officers were taken away while a police van was also set ablaze.

Reacting on Thursday evening, the Anambra State Police Command confirmed the killing of one of its officers by unknown gunmen in Man I, Anaocha Local Government Area of the state.

A press release by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Tochukwu Ikenna, said that the attackers, who were yet to be identified, stormed the scene in three Sienna vehicles, numbering over 20, and engaged the policemen in a shootout.

Ikenga said that two officers were injured in the process. According to him, the injured officers were later taken to the hospital, where one of them was confirmed dead.

His words: “There was attack on Police patrol team at Okacha junction Neni, Anaocha LGA by yet to be identified gunmen while on nipping point today 18/3/2021 at about 4:30pm.

“The hoodlums numbering over twenty with three Sienna buses and motorcycles engaged the police in a gun-duel which lasted for over 30mins before reinforcements from the State headquarters forcing the hoodlums to escape.

“As a result, two police operatives sustained gunshot injuries and rushed to the hospital for medical attention, where one was confirmed dead by a medical doctor.

“The Commissioner of Police CP MB Kuryas visited the scene for on the spot assessment.”

Ikenna said that investigation is ongoing and that efforts are being intensified “in order to unravel perpetrators of the heinous act and bring them to book.”