The Anambra state government and the state Police Command have confirmed early morning attack at Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s hometown, Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area, which led to death of two soldiers and some hoodlums.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, and the State Commissioner for Information, Mr Paul Nwosu, in two separate statements agreed that the attacks took place at about 10am on Saturday at Afor-Uzor junction, Isuofia, but declined comments on whether soldiers were killed or not.
While Ikenga claimed that five of the criminals were neutralised, Nwosu said only four were killed, adding that others escaped.
Sources earlier told Blueprint that the gunmen drove-in in large numbers at army checkpoint in Umuona village, and killed two soldiers at the spot.
“We were at our house when I heard the gunshots. At the end of the battle, we saw two lifeless soldiers and four dead bodies of the hoodlums. We were told by the soldiers who survived the attack that they demobilised and killed all the hoodlums,” the source added.
Isuofia, which had been under hoodlums attack since 2021, was where late Hon. Okechukwu Okoye of Aguata II constituency was kidnapped, and later beheaded by hoodlums about five months ago.
A press statement by the Police however, maintained that Anambra state security forces comprising of the military, police and other security agencies neutralised five unknown gunmen during the latest attack and recovered one grey Toyota Venza jeep with reg .KRD 344 BT.
“This followed a distress call at about 10:30am today 12/11/2022 along afor market in isuofia, where some hoodlums, attacked a security checkpoint in the area. The Joint Forces from FOB Aguata responded swiftly, engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel and neutralised five of the armed men while others escaped with dark blue Lexus 470 jeep without plate number from scene with bullet wounds.
“The Commissioner Of Police, Echeng Echeng, while charging the Operatives to sustain the tempo against onslaught on criminal elements, ordered patrols be intensified and improved operational positioning to respond to distress calls in the State,” the statement said.
Further account on the incident by Commissioner Nwosu via his statement stated that “our galant and alert security agents who gave them a hot chase immediately returned fire and neutralised four of the gang members in a fierce exchange of shootings. Their Toyota Avenza with which they launched the deadly operation was recovered. The government of Anambra State wishes to reassure the people of their safety, especially during this yuletide season.”
