Three Killed as Gunmen Attack Two Towns in Anambra, Repelled from Burning Police Station

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

At least three persons are feared dead in a mid-day attack on Ekwulobia town in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State by daredevil gunmen yesterday.

The hoodlums also attacked Oko Community in Orumba North Local Government Area.

THISDAY learnt that while two members of the public were felled during the attack in Ekwulobia, police however killed one of the gunmen.

But in Oko, the men were said to have been stoutly resisted by police operatives in a police station they attempted to torch.

Videos trending online showed the attack at the popular Ekwulobia flyover as they shot sporadically, causing residents to flee for safety.

Different videos on social media showed moments when the gunmen were atop the newly constructed Ekwulobia flyover bridge, and when they were under it, prancing around without challenge and shooting in all directions.

While one man was pictured in one of the videos lying lifeless in his tricycle, another was seen in a separate video lying lifeless too in what seemed to be his business premises – a shop.

Meanwhile, police authorities in Anambra State have confirmed the attack, stating that one of the gunmen was also felled during the attack by its operatives, while a rifle, vehicles were recovered at the scene, while others fled.

In a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the police said it also recovered an AK-47 rifle, a pump-action shotgun, and four vehicles used by the assailants during the operation.

He said: “The team also demobilised one of the armed criminals, recovered one AK-47 rifle, one automatic pump action gun and four vehicles at the scene as the operatives sustained the counter operations in the area.

“The vehicles recovered include one red Toyota Camry vehicle with Reg No: ENU 58 SC, custom colour GLK Mercedes Benz without a registration number, golden colour Lexus 330 with Reg No: ENU 815 AP and one ash Toyota Highlander with Reg No: GDD 517 RW.

“The gunmen also burnt a brown Toyota Sienna vehicle allegedly belonging to the Anambra State Vigilante Group. Meanwhile, the bodies of the deceased have been recovered and deposited in the morgue.

“Oko Divisional Police Headquarters also witnessed an attack, but the gallant officers on duty repelled the assault by the armed criminals. No casualties were recorded as the aggressive pursuit by the Joint Security Team of the assailants continues in the area.”

Ikenga said the police commissioner in the state, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has urged residents of the area to be calm, while operatives of the command have gone after the hoodlums.