Last night, a group of armed men targeted a convoy believed to be associated with Chief Chris Uba, a prominent figure in Anambra politics.
According to a source, the vehicles in the convoy were heavily damaged by gunfire, and tragically, two police officers assigned to protect the politician lost their lives.
Additionally, Mr. Val Ozigbo, a politician and member of the Labour Party, narrowly avoided being caught in the attack.
The source said: “We witnessed what happened. Chris Uba’s convoy ran into the men who were stationed at UGA junction, leading to a shootout.
“Uba was able to escape because he was riding in a bulletproof vehicle, but the policemen were not so lucky as they were killed.
“Val Ozigbo was coming back from Owerri with members of his family when he suddenly saw a convoy driving ferociously toward his own convoy and attempting to edge him off the road. He quickly told his driver to clear off the road let the other convoy pass by.
“Shortly after they overtook Ozigbo, they ran into the gunmen at UGA junction, who started shooting and killed two policemen. Ozigbo, who parked while the incident was happening, later learned that the convoy that was attacked was that of Uba.”
According to reports, a group of men had the intention of kidnapping a politician. Although there were reports of several injuries, it remains uncertain if anyone was actually kidnapped.
In the meantime, the police authorities, through a press release from the spokesperson of the state police command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, have announced that they have initiated a search for the attackers.
The release read: “Anambra State Police Command has launched an intensive manhunt for armed insurgents who infiltrated from a neighbouring State and killed two Police Personnel on 28th December 2023 at about 18.30 hours (6.30 p.m.).
“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 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.
“He condoled with the families of the deceased officers and Enugu State Police Command and vowed that the personnel will not die in vain.
“He has urged all officers and men of Anambra State Police Command to redouble their efforts and remain vigilant. He assured that technology would be employed to track down the criminals who unleashed the attack on Police personnel.”
