Two police officers were instantly killed when a group of gunmen assaulted them along the Amansea–Ndiora–Ndiukwuenu–Awa–Ufuma Road in the Orumba South Local Area of Anambra State.
According to reports, police officers were attacked and ambushed on Sunday night while returning from an operation.
Witnesses in the region claim that the attackers, who had set up camp in a nearby bush, began fire on the officers as soon as they got close, causing fear in the local communities.
Speaking under the condition of anonymity, one of the eyewitnesses, a tricycle rider, claimed that he was on his way back from Ezira in the Orumba South Local Government Area when he heard gunshots and quickly turned around to find refuge.
“The incident happened last night,” he stated. I had just returned from a trip when I heard gunfire. For safety, I got off my tricycle and headed back.
“I continued traveling after the shooting stopped, and when I arrived at the scene, I saw that two police officers had already been shot and were lying dead on the road.”
The two police officers were seen laying in a pool of blood on the road next to their patrol van in a video that went viral online. The voice in the video demanded that the appropriate authorities be contacted.
Anambra’s Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, acknowledged the occurrence when questioned about it on Monday.
According to Orutugu, the command has already started looking into the matter and is taking the appropriate steps.
“A group of police officers were returning from an assignment when they were ambushed by armed men who opened fire on them,” he stated. We lost two officers in the process.
“Since Sunday night, the police have been investigating the incident and have stepped up efforts to find the attackers.”
The commissioner added that he would go to the scene of the incident to evaluate the circumstances and work with security staff to develop strategies for averting such assaults in the state.
Additionally, he cautioned drivers and members of the public to exercise caution and stay away from unapproved roadblocks that are not staffed by recognized police officers and legitimate police cars.
“You should be cautious if you approach a checkpoint without a police car or obvious police identity. You can either go back and notify the closest police formation or call the police right away for help,” the CP said.
