By Adadainfo
Three men suspected to be members of unknown gunmen and four operatives of the Nigeria Police were Monday morning neutralised after a gun duel in Anambra State, the state police command said.
According to a release by the command’s public relations officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, the incident occurred around 2am.
According to him, “Today, 20/02/2023, at about 02:20am, gunmen suspected to be members of IPOB/ESN attacked Awada Police Station in Idemilli North LGA 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 Nigerian Army.
“In an ensuing gun duel, 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 property, charms and other incriminating items.”
He added that, “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.”
Meanwhile, the state commissioner of police, CP Echeng E. Echeng, has ordered the immediate deployment of all the command’s operational/investigative assets to track down fleeing members of the murderous gang.
The CP further appealed to residents of Awada and the good 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 are brought to justice’.
