Gunnmen operating at Uga Anambra State on Thursday abducted unknown victims and killed two policemen attached Chief Chris Ubah's convoy. The hoodlums also maimed a madman roaming the popular Uga roundabout before eacaping.
It's reported that the gunnmen were on a kidnap operation when Uba's convoy that earlier overtook Val Ozigbo's convoy ran into them. The policemen were reportedly on a mission to find out the cause of traffic jam and clear road for their principal when they fell to bullets. Chris Uba is an indigene of Uga, a border town linking Imo State.
An online video showed each of the victims lying in pool of blood. The mad man whose leg was shot was still alive in the video.
A witness recounted online:
"It was a rain of bullets at UGA Roundabout, Aguata LGA this evening 28 /12 /2023 around 5:50 pm as UGM came in their terrific numbers from Umuchu - Umunze road, all carrying AK47 Assault Riffles and kidnapping people at random in flashy cars. They were not in a hurry to go and remained for long unchallenged.
"When they sighted a group of policemen coming up from EZINIFITE axis, they opened fire and gunned down two of them. Very sad. People were seen screaming, running and scampering away for their dear lives as the gunshots were deafening and frightening.
"Bullets from their AK 47 shattered the windows of our CAPAD Filling Station though as at press time, no injuries was recorded therein.
Anambra State remains a target zone from hoodlums coming from neighboring states and elsewhere. We call on all to be cautious and security conscious while we pray for those officers on duty who regrettably lost their lives in these needless carnage at the time of our yearly Christmas festivities."
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DAILY POST also reported that that vehicles in the convoy were riddled with bullets, just as two police operatives attached to the politician were killed. It was also gathered that another politician and a chieftain of Labour Party, Mr Val Ozigbo, narrowly escaped the attack. DAILY POST reported:
The source said: “We witnessed what happened. Chris Uba’s convoy ran into the men who were stationed at UGA junction, leading to a shootout.
“Uba was able to escape because he was riding in a bullet proof vehicle, but the policemen were not so lucky as they were killed.
“Val Ozigbo was coming back from Owerri with members of his family when he suddenly saw a convoy driving ferociously toward his own convoy, and attempting to edge him off the road. He quickly told his driver to clear off the road let the other convoy pass by.
“Shortly after they overtook Ozigbo, they ran into the gunmen at UGA junction who started shooting, and killed two policemen. Ozigbo who parked while the incident was happening, later learnt that the convoy that was attacked was that of Uba.”
Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye
Meanwhile, police authorities in a press release by the state police command’s spokesperson, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga said it has launched a manhunt for the attackers.
The release read: “Anambra State Police Command has launched an intensive manhunt for armed insurgents who infiltrated from a neighbouring State and killed two Police Personnel on 28th December 2023 at about 18.30 hours (6.30 p.m.).
“The gang which disguised in military fatigue and seemed to be on a kidnap mission were jolted on seeing two armed Police officers approaching their direction. They opened fire on the officers who had moved ahead of the convoy they were escorting to decongest traffic gridlock. Other personnel returned fire, careful not to hit many motorists who were in traffic, forcing the bandits to flee.
“Police-led mobile Forward Operating Base which had been on intensive patrol of the entire area throughout Christmas celebrations promptly responded to the scene.
“It recovered a Lexus SUV the gang operated with and defused an improvised explosive device found in the vehicle. It also recovered an AK-47 rifle belonging to one of the slain personnel.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye who had declared the weekend and Christmas holidays as special working days for all Officers and men in the Command commended all personnel for their tireless and courageous effort in securing the people of Anambra State.
“He urged them not to be demoralized by the supreme price paid by their colleagues from Enugu State Command but to draw inspiration from their bravery in confronting the criminal gang.
“He condoled with the families of the deceased officers and Enugu State Police Command and vowed that the personnel will not die in vain.
“He has urged all officers and men of Anambra State Police Command to redouble their efforts and remain vigilant. He assured that technology would be employed to track down the criminals who unleashed the attack on Police personnel.”
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