No fewer than four police officers were killed early Monday when gunmen attacked a police station at Awada, Idemili North local government area of Anambra state.
This is coming barely 24 hours after gunmen and the police engaged in a gun duel during attack at a police station at 3-3 Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Oyi LGA of the state.
A source, who resides around Awada, told Blueprint that the attack which started at about 2am lasted for about an hour, leaving many injured.
“It was a terrible experience last night for people living close to Awada police station; it’s as if war has come close to us. Gunshot nobi here, different sounds nawaa ooo. This morning, I learnt that the unknown gunmen invaded the station, set some parts of the station on fire, kill three policeman which included DPO Isiowulu police station, newly recruited constable and one inspector,” the source added.
Also speaking, another resident of the area said the shooting forced her and her family to fall on ground in their room to escape from the bullets.
But confirming the report of the attack, the Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Anambra State Police command, Mr Tochukwu Ikenga, said a joint police task and the Army neutralised three of the hoodlums, arrested two suspects and recovered some riffles used.
“Today 20/02/2023 at about 02:20 am, gunmen suspected to be IPOB/ESN attacked Awada Police Station in Idemilli North LGA of Anambra State, using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and automatic firearms. In response to the attack, police operatives attached to Anambra State Command engaged the assailants jointly with troops from 302 Artillery Regiment of the Nigeria Army, in a gun duel and three members of the outlawed IPOB/ESN were fatally wounded while three Kalashnikov rifles and one Automatic Pump Action gun were recovered from them.
“Other items recovered from the assailants include a brown Lexus 330 with Reg No. GWA 415BB ABJ, one unregistered KYMCO motorcycle suspected to be stolen property, charms and other incriminating items. During a mop-up operation by police/military operatives, two male suspects reasonably believed to have participated in the attack, were apprehended.
“Regrettably, four police operatives paid the supreme price while a section of the station, one police patrol vehicle and three exhibit vehicles parked in the premises were set ablaze by petrol bombs thrown into the station by the assailants. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Echeng E. Echeng has since visited the incident scene, and after conducting spot assessments, ordered the immediate deployment of all the command’s operational/investigative assets to track down fleeing members of the murderous gang,” he stated.
