5 gunmen and a police officer lost their lives on Sunday morning following a gun battle which occurred in a police station Nkwelle Ezunaka, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The report came less than 24 hours after 2 attacks were launched on Ukpo and Ogidi which resulted in the death of 3 police officers and injuries of soldiers.
A source that witnessed the scenario said the attack took place around 3:30am, narrating that the gunmen invaded the affected area in their numbers and put on “dark” clothing.
“The hoodlums arrival to the station followed a gun fire exchange between them and police officers at the station. We heard gun fire. It was intense. We also saw vehicles at the police station burning.
“The gun fire exchange resulted in the death of one police officer and two of the attackers were killed. One of the attackers is believed to have sustained an injury,” he said.
The attack was confirmed by the spokesperson of the police command in the state, Tochukwu Ikenga.
The mouthpiece of the police command disclosed that 5 gunmen and one police officer operating in the police station lost their lives during the gun battle.
He further explained that an office in the facility was slightly destroyed while one patrol vehicle stationed in front of the police station was set on fire by the armed men.
He said: “The combined security team, made up of the Police and the military, today 19/2/2023 by 5:58 am, neutralized a gang of five armed men, recovers two Ak47 rifles, one Toyota Sienna vehicle with Reg No Abuja ABC 848 EQ, charms and other incriminating items, in a response to a distress call on an attack at 3 3 Police Divisional Headquarters, Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Oyi LGA.
“The notorious gang of five, armed with guns, IEDs, and petrol bombs, started shooting indiscriminately to gain entrance to the station and were engaged and resisted by gallant officers attached to the station.
“During the gun duel, unfortunately, one police operative attached to the station was fatally wounded and an office in the facility was partially affected by the petrol bomb the armed men threw inside the station. Also, one patrol vehicle parked in front of the station was set ablaze by the gunmen.
“The situation is under control and the incident is still being assessed. Meanwhile, Joint operations are still ongoing and further development shall be communicated.”