BY ONYEKACHUKWU IBEZIM -The Nigeria Police have embarked on a manhunt for the unknown gunmen who reportedly killed some soldiers and an unidentified person in Anambra State on Wednesday.
Reports said as a result of the dastardly act, which occurred close to Zenith Bank branch in Umunze, Orumba South local government area of the state, residents of the area are now leaving in fear of the possible reaction of the Nigerian Army.
Police reports so far indicated that the incident happened between 12-1.30 pm on Wednesday as the Toyota Sienna vehicle conveying the soldiers on patrol duties was attacked by the gunmen.
Confirming the incident, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, said the command was yet to determine the number of casualties from the Umunze attack.
DSP Tochukwu further explained that though details of the attack were still being expected, the Command had already deployed security operatives to secure the area to ensure there is no breakdown of law and order.
The Police Image maker assured that the Command is all out to ensure those responsible for the dastardly act are not only caught but also punished for their crime, warning that the Police would not relent in ensuring the Anambra State is rid of criminal elements.
Reacting to the incident, a police insider, who preferred anonymity for obvious reasons, described it as “quite unfortunate and horrible”, adding that hoodlums have regrettably turned Anambra into a place of insecurity for the lives and property of Nigerians.
He said the reports available showed that the vehicle conveying the military men was blocked by the assailants as they struck along that Umunze -Umunneochi road around 2 pm. But I assure you that those who did this will be apprehended.
“Our men, in collaboration with other sister agencies, are on the alert to ensure the perpetrators of this dastardly act do not go scot-free. As we speak, the Commissioner of Police (CP) Echeng Echeng, who is a field man, has given definite directives to operatives to track down the culprits.”
It was also gathered that the attack took everyone by surprise as no one saw it coming. “The attack happened suddenly as there was no sign of those criminals before the gunshots rang out like a war zone”, another competent source said, adding; “Some of us who were close to the bank ran for our dear lives.
“I can tell you that those criminals took the soldiers by surprise and that explains the reason all of them were unfortunately gunned down.”
