Anambra: Policeman at checkpoint killed by gunmen, another injured

Gunmen ambushed a police roadblock at Omata Junction, Nnewi-Oba Road in Anambra State's Idemili South Local Government Area on Friday.

According to information obtained by the Punch, the gunmen stormed the area around 9:20 am and hurled explosives at the police officers stationed at the checkpoint.

Additional information revealed that two police officers were hurt and one policeman was killed during the attack.

In a statement on Friday, Tochukwu Ikenga, the public relations officer for the state police, verified the occurrence.

Ikenga further stated that a vigorous manhunt for the shooters has been authorized by Nnaghe Itam, the state commissioner of police.

He said, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Itam, has ordered a manhunt operation for gunmen who attacked the police team at about 9:20 am today, 9/8/2024, at a checkpoint, Omata junction, Nnewi Oba road.

“The operation led by the Assistant Commissioner in charge of Nnewi Area Command is already working with the locals in the area to unmask and apprehend the attackers.

“Meanwhile, in the ensuing gun duel by the police operatives, one of the police personnel was fatally hit by an explosive thrown at them by the gunmen and the other that is seriously injured is currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

“To this end, a police team has taken over the area; further details shall be communicated.”

Meanwhile, the gunmen responsible for the attack that resulted in the deaths of eight leaders in Umucheke community, Onuimo council area, Imo State, were reportedly six in number.

A community leader from Umucheke, who spoke anonymously for security reasons during a joint assessment of the incident by the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, on Monday, revealed that the attackers arrived on three motorcycles.

"We saw them, but we did not know they were gunmen coming to attack us, and we did not raise any alarm at that time. It was when we started hearing gunshots and shouting for help that was when all of us began running away from our houses and scampering for safety.

“Those killed were our cabinet chiefs and some of our youth leaders. We are in deep pain and a great loss to our community. We are crying because of the way they were killed as if they were nothing to this great community.”

On Monday, the Imo State Police Command and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, visited the Umucheke Community in Onuimo Council Area, Imo State, following the shooting deaths of eight individuals by gunmen last Saturday.

Henry Okoye, the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the visit to reporters in Owerri. He indicated that the attack was carried out by gunmen suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

The authorities have pledged to track down and apprehend those responsible for the attack.