By Cajetan Mmuta
Four Policemen have been reportedly shot dead and several others seriously wounded during a gun duel between suspected unknown gunmen and police patrol team in Ekwuluobia town, Aguata local government area of Anambra state.
ThisNigeria learnt that the incident occurred at about 11 am on Friday around Ekwuluobia Roundabout.
Coincidentally, Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano, the First Lady of the State and wife of Governor Willie Obiano was in the area as part of Prof. Soludo’s campaign train
It was gathered that the dead policemen were part of the security agencies deployed to Ekwuluobia for ensuring peace during the Governorship campaign of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate, Professor Charles Soludo to the area.
It was not certain as at the time of this report if top Chieftains of the APGA governorship campaign team had arrived and of the campaign had also kicked off when the chaotic and bloody scene stirred by the melee started.
In addition, it was not clear if Ekwuluobia was the actual venue for the APGA campaign in the local government or neighbouring town.
Already, the busy Ekwuluobia Market and adjoining motor parks have been deserted which crippled socio-economic activities in the process.
Eye witness who did not want his name mentioned in print disclosed that normalcy had since returned to the troubled town as a team of military personnel was later arrived at the scene to restore sanity.
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It was learnt that the heavily armed men in Sienna, SUV and one other vehicle were sighted patrolling the daily market and other parts of the town when eagle-eyed residents alerted policemen of the presence of strange men in Toyota Sienna bus car.
Findings revealed that police had stormed the roundabout near the market and motor parks where they engaged the gunmen in a fierce battle which left the security operatives dead.
Police Public Relations of the state command, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga when contacted said he had no details of the number of casualties but said that a response team had been detailed to the area.
