By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command have shot dead four members of an armed gang that attacked two police stations in the State on Sunday night.
It was learned that heavily armed men had struck at Ekwulobia, headquarters of Aguata Local Government Area where they attacked a police station at about 8pm.
Source close to the station the hoodlums were confronted by policemen on duty.
Findings revealed that there was an exchange of gunfire between the robbers and policemen which lasted for several hours.
According to the source “We didn’t sleep last night because of fear. Shooting started in Ekwulobia at about 8pm, and continued into the night at about 11pm.”
But the State Police Command on confirming the incident, adding that its operatives were able to confront and kill four of the hoodlums.
Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, in a press release made available to newsmen in Awka the state capital said: “The operatives demobilized four of the armed hoodlums and recover 17pieces of 7.62mm live ammunition for Ak 47rifle, 107 pieces of expended 7.62mm ammunition for Ak47 rifle, seven pieces of expended cartridges for pump-action, ten pieces of expended 7.62mm long for Lar rifle, one big hammer, three phones and a wallet containing identity cards and some ATM cards.”
He said: “Preliminary information reveals that one out of the four demobilized miscreants, now late, Mr Onyebuchi Okoye “M” 34years, who led the attack on Aguata Divisional headquarters was arrested earlier on 4th November, 2021 with a revolver pistol and six 9mm ammunition by Police Operatives.
“He was charged to court for conspiracy to commit felony and unlawful possession of firearms under section 495 of the criminal code and on 21/01/2022 was granted bail by the Court.”
He also revealed that Neni police station was also attacked, but the gunmen fled the scene due to the superior firepower of the police operatives on duty.
He said both stations are intact and no arm or life was lost.
Ikenga said the Commissioner of Police Anambra State, CP Echeng Echeng in reacting to the killing of the hoodlums, charged police operatives of the command to sustain and increase the tempo on the onslaught against crime in the State.
Echeng assured the unwavering commitment of the command towards weeding out unrepentant criminal elements, while enjoining law-abiding citizens of the state to remain vigilant and continue to support the command in the fight against acts of crime and criminality.
