GUNMEN KILL 3 VIGILANTES, BURN 5 HOUSES IN ANAMBRA

REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE

Police Command in Anambra State has confirmed the killing of three local security operatives in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.

The gunmen were said to have attacked the vigilantes at the local government secretariat, while also beheading one of the slain security men.

The gunmen reportedly used an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) to burn down about five buildings in the area.

Confirming the incident in a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Toochukwu Ikenga, said that the operatives were alerted, and that one of the gunmen was killed by police operatives when they were confronted.

The statement reads “Following the ongoing Police/Military operations in Ihiala and its neighboring town, operatives responded to a distress call at about 2:55am.”

According to the statement, as at the time police operatives responded to the call, the attackers had already murdered three vigilante operatives on duty, one of whom was beheaded while setting five buildings ablaze with IED and petrol bombs.

“The joint force operatives engaged the arsonist/attackers, and obstructed them from causing further damage, while some escaped with bullet wounds,” the statement read.

The statement added that the bodies of the victims were recovered and joint operations were still ongoing.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU