The Anambra State Police Command has intensified statewide security operations after officers on patrol repelled an armed attack on Wednesday, November 26, along the Eziowelle Road.
A statement by SP Ikenga Tochukwu, the Police Public Relations Officer said the armed group, moving in a convoy of three vehicles, opened fire on police patrol teams, but the officers swiftly returned fire and successfully pushed back the attackers without any civilian casualties.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police immediately ordered the strengthening of security measures across the state, placing all divisions and patrol units on heightened alert.
Continuing, Ikenga stated that barely hours after the attack, the police made further progress when a white Mercedes-Benz SUV, reportedly snatched by the same armed criminals, was recovered during a coordinated pursuit. Operatives from the Operations Department Awka, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Akwuzu, and the Special Anti-Cultism Unit (SPACS) Enugu-Ukwu were already trailing the hoodlums along the Eziowelle–Umuoji axis when they encountered a police convoy that immediately joined the engagement.
Preliminary findings revealed that the officers in the convoy were attached to Senator Chris Ngige, former Governor of Anambra State and former Minister of Labour and Employment. The joint response led to a brief exchange of gunfire, forcing the suspects to abandon the snatched SUV and flee under pressure from advancing police teams. One police operative sustained a minor gunshot injury but is in stable condition and receiving treatment.
The recovered vehicle has been secured for further investigation as the Command intensifies a statewide manhunt for the fleeing armed criminals.
Reiterating the police commitment, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, the Police Public Relations Officer, said the Command will continue to work tirelessly to protect lives and property and ensure peace and stability across Anambra State.
