There was palpable tension along the Abatete–Eziowelle Road in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State on Wednesday, following a coordinated armed attack on joint police patrol teams by yet-to-be-identified gunmen, leading to the burning of a patrol vehicle, the theft of service rifles, and injuries to at least one police officer.
According to sources, the attackers, who were heavily armed, allegedly ambushed patrol operatives from the Department of Operations (DOPS), State Headquarters, Awka, and the Special Anti-Cultism Squad while they were on routine surveillance patrol along the axis.
The gunmen reportedly operated with a convoy of vehicles, including a white Toyota Hummer bus, a black Lexus 350 SUV, and a white Toyota Highlander, all bearing unidentified registration numbers. They were said to have dressed in full military and police-like uniforms to carry out the attack.
It was gathered that the attackers first opened heavy fire on the patrol teams, prompting a response and fierce exchange between them and the security operatives. The intense gun duel reportedly forced the assailants to retreat from the scene after several minutes.
During the exchange, the patrol bus belonging to the Special Anti-Cultism Squad was reportedly hit by bullet and set ablaze, while the DOPS patrol pickup van was riddled with bullets and damaged.
This was corroborated by videos from the scene, currently trending on social media, showing the vehicle on fire while residents scampered for safety.
Sources further disclosed that in the course of the incident, an officer from the 29 Mobile Police Force (MOPOL), Awka, attached to the DOPS patrol team, reportedly lost his service rifle, a Type 06 with Breech Number 10967, loaded with 35 rounds of ammunition, after it slipped from his grip while taking cover. The firearm was allegedly carted away by the fleeing attackers.
The situation reportedly escalated further as the gunmen were said to have hijacked a Mercedes-Benz SUV belonging to a motorist identified as Eze Tochukwu from Enugu State while fleeing the scene. They reportedly drove off toward Umuoji, also within Idemili North Local Government Area.
In another related development, there at Umuoji, the attackers reportedly encountered two police inspectors attached to a former Anambra State Governor and former Minister of Labour, Senator Chris Ngige. The officers were said to be travelling in a vehicle when they were suddenly double-crossed and fired upon by the assailants.
During the attack, one of the officers reportedly sustained a gunshot injury to his left leg while attempting to take cover, and his AK-47 rifle was allegedly taken by the criminals. The other officer was, however, said to have gallantly engaged the gunmen in fierce fire exchange, forcing them (the gunmen)to abandon the stolen Mercedes-Benz SUV, which was later recovered by the police.
The injured officer was said to have been immediately rushed to an undisclosed hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment, according to sources familiar with the development.
A senior police officer confirmed that the State Police Command has since activated its tactical units and is currently combing suspected hideouts, camps, and escape routes of the attackers in a bid to arrest them and recover the stolen firearms.
Meanwhile, when contacted by this reporter on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, promised to release details of the incident to the reporter. However, this was yet to be received by the reporter as at the time of this publication, and will be publicized when received.