No fewer than four people were killed as yet-to-be-identified gunmen launched coordinated attacks on two communities in Anambra State early Monday morning.
The first attack was said to have happened in the Abatete community, Idemili North Local Government Area, where armed assailants targeted security personnel attached to the town’s President-General.
It was learnt that three security operatives were killed on the spot during an exchange of gunfire, while the President-General, whose identity remains undisclosed, was critically injured and rushed to a nearby hospital.
A resident of the community described the scene as harrowing.
In another incident, about 45 minutes later, gunmen attacked the Ukpo community at the Ukpo roundabout in Dunukofia Local Government Area and killed a vigilante operative and a motorcycle rider.
The residents of Ukpo said the incident was chaotic, and noted that the attackers came out of nowhere in a commando-like attire and started shooting indiscriminately.
However, residents of the affected communities called for increased security presence in the area and urgent intervention to prevent further attacks and restore peace.
The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement made available to THE WHISTLER, assured that the state’s police command will apprehend and prosecute the armed assailants responsible for the brutal killing of four vigilante operatives and the injury of two others.
According to the statement, the Commissioner of Police (CP), Nnaghe Obono Itam, said the unprovoked attacks happened at about 8:45 a.m. when gunmen in unregistered Lexus 330 and Honda FJ Cruiser SUVs unleashed violence at Ekeagu Abatete.
Ikenga noted that the assailants struck again at Ukpo Junction in Dunukofia Local Government Area during a chase. They killed another vigilante member, injured another individual, and set two vehicles ablaze before escaping.
He stated that the remains of the deceased have been recovered, and the injured are receiving treatment at a hospital.
“The Commissioner of Police CP Nnaghe Obono Itam* states today 18/11/2024 that the Command shall fish out the criminals that murdered four vigilante operatives and left two others seriously injured in the State.
“The Armed men today 18/11/2024, unprovoked by 8:45 am operating in an unregistered Lexus 330 SUV and Honda FJ Cruiser SUV at Ekeagu Abatete, murdered three members of the Vigilantes and injured another unsuspecting member of the public. Also at Ukpo junction, Dunkunofia LGA while escaping a hot chase by the Police Responding Team, shot and killed another member of the vigilante, injured another and set two vehicles ablaze.
“Meanwhile, the bodies of the deceased have been recovered and the injured are currently receiving treatment in the hospital,” the statement read.
CP Itam extended condolences to the families, friends, and communities of the deceased. He assured the public that the Police Command is fully committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice.
“We shall leave no stone unturned until those behind this barbaric act are arrested and justice is served,” he said.