TWO POLICEMEN KILLED IN AMBUSH IN ANAMBRA, ONE OTHER MISSING AS POLICE DENY KILLING 20YRS OLD GIRL
REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE
The Police Command in Anambra State has confirmed the death of two of its officers involved in an attack by armed men in Azia, Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.
The Command says the bodies of the officers were burnt while one other officer is still missing.
In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Tochukwu Ikenga, pointed out the Command was not responsible for the murder of a 20-year old lady in the area as alleged in some quarters.
The statement condoled with the deceased family and promised to end security concerns in the affected area of the state.
According to the statement, a Police escort team comprising seven policemen and three civilian drivers traveling through the Azia/Osumoghu Road were ambushed by some armed men.
In the attack, two police officers were killed and their bodies burnt while one of the officers is still missing.
It noted that the remaining police officers successfully fought their way out of the ambush and rescued two out of the three civilian drivers.
The statement noted that on getting the report, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Echeng Echeng, immediately ordered a rescue and recovery operation for the missing officer and stolen weapons.
Mr. Echeng explained that the rescue team on arrival at Azia/Osumoghu Junction came under barrage of indiscriminate shooting with Improvised explosive devices thrown at their vehicles by the armed hoodlums, which earlier attacked the police escort team.
The statement reported that thee security operatives repelled the attack and recovered two earlier stolen rifles belonging to the police and noted that throughout the operation, no innocent citizen, including children, were sighted in the area.
It assured the people that the Command in synergy with sister security forces and host communities would work together to put an end to insecurity in that part of the State and make sure such incident did not recur.