The Anambra State Command of the Nigerian Police has initiated an extensive search for gunmen believed to be responsible for the killing of two police personnel in the state on Thursday.
In a statement released on Friday by the State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, the incident occurred on Thursday evening, prompting the State Police Command to launch a thorough manhunt for the perpetrators.
According to Ikenga, the armed insurgents, disguised in military attire and appearing to be on a kidnapping mission, encountered two armed police officers approaching their location. In response, the gunmen opened fire, prompting the police personnel to return fire cautiously to avoid harming motorists in the traffic gridlock.
The exchange forced the assailants to flee.
“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 statement read.
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.
