INSECURITY GROWS IN ANAMBRA AS GUNMEN KILL POLICEMAN IN EKWULOBIA POLICE STATION
Reporter : UCHE NEDEKE
One police officer was allegedly shot dead at Ekwulobia Police Station in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The incident, which occurred at about 4am on Friday, threw the entire commercial city into confusion as they woke up to hear the news.
According to one of the residents, Mr. Ikechukwu Okafor, the unknown gunmen drove into the police station, shot the police officer and drove out.
He explained that the Police station, which was just renovated after it was attacked during the #EndSARS protest was scheduled to be formerly reopened on Saturday March 20, 2021.
“Our youths just finished cleaning the compound on Thursday afternoon before the hoodlums struck on Friday morning. The place is to be reopened on Saturday after it was renovated through the assistance of some wealthy individuals in the area,” Mr. Okafor said.
The Ekwulobia incident is coming barely twenty-four hours after a police patrol team at Okacha junction, Neni in Anaocha Local Government Area, was attacked leaving one police officer dead.
Confirming the Neni incident in a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Anambra State, Mr. Tochukwu Ikenga, said the attackers who were yet to be identified came in three Sienna vehicles and engaged the policemen in a shooting match, injuring two personnel in the process.
“There was attack on Police patrol team at Okacha junction Neni, Anaocha LGA by yet to be identified gunmen while on nipping point today 18/3/2021 at about 4:30pm.
“The hoodlums numbering over twenty with three Sienna buses and motorcycles engaged the police in a gun-duel which lasted for over 30mins before reinforcements from the State headquarters forcing the hoodlums to escape.
“As a result, two police operatives sustained gunshot injuries and rushed to the hospital for medical attention, where one was confirmed dead by a medical doctor.
According to the statement, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kuryas has visited the scene for on the spot assessment.
The statement added that investigation was ongoing and efforts being intensified to unravel perpetrators of the heinous act and bring them to book.
Meanwhile Radio Nigeria gathered that also on thursday (18/03/21), there was an alleged attack on Naval checkpoint at Awkuzu Junction shortly after that of Neni, causing motorists and residents to scamper for safety upon hearing loud and continuous gunshots.