The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and two other people were killed in an early-morning gun attack on the Isiowulu Police station in Awada, Idemili North Local Council, Anambra State, yesterday.
The thugs broke into the police station at around 2:18 in the morning, engaging the policemen in a gunfight, according to information provided to The Guardian. During the attack, the police reportedly repulsed and killed three of the criminals with the assistance of military soldiers.
It was discovered that the victims included the DPO, a recently hired constable, and one inspector. Less than 24 hours prior, gunmen opened fire on the 3-3 Police Divisional headquarters in Oyi Local Government Council, killing roughly six thugs.
According to a local source, the thugs opened fire as they neared the police station and continued firing for several hours. According to the source, “These hoodlums attempted to burn down the Isiowulu Police Station in Awada, close to Obosi, Anambra State, in the early hours of morning, resulting in another fatality.
Three members of the gang were taken down following a flurry of gunfire as a result of the security personnel’s valiant efforts to repel the criminals. Together with the cars used for the operation, two AK-47 weapons were found among them.
Another person stated, “Last night was horrific for individuals living near the station; it felt like war had come to us. shots fired from various angles.
I found out this morning that the armed men had broken into the station, set fire to a portion of it, and killed three police officers.
Tochukwu Ikenga, a spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, confirmed the event and said four police officers as well as three members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) died in the attack.
“Gunmen believed to be members of IPOB/ESN attacked the Awada Police Station in the Idemili North Local Government of Anambra State this morning at around 2:00 a.m. with automatic weapons and IEDs.
In response to the assault, police officers assigned to the Anambra State Command engaged the attackers in a gunfight alongside Nigerian Army soldiers from the 302 Artillery Regiment, resulting in the deaths of three IPOB/ESN members and the recovery of three Kalashnikov rifles and one automatic pump action gun from the group.
Additional goods taken from the attackers include charms and other incriminating materials, a brown Lexus 330 with registration number GWA 415BB ABJ, one unregistered KYMCO motorcycle believed to be stolen property.
“After a clean-up operation by police and military personnel, two male suspects who were likely involved in the attack were taken into custody.
He continued, “Unfortunately, four police officers paid the ultimate price while a section of the station, one police patrol car, and three exhibit vehicles parked in the grounds were set on fire by the terrorists’ petrol bombs.
Ikenga claimed that the state’s police chief, Echeng Echeng, had already arrived at the scene and that he had immediately ordered the deployment of all the command’s operational and investigative resources in order to find the murderous gang’s evading members.
He said that the police, working with sister agencies, have urged the residents of Awada and the people of Anambra State to maintain calm till the criminal elements terrorizing the state have been brought to justice.