Just as Anambra State appeared to heave a sigh of relief from the menace of insecurity, especially the troubling issue of the faceless “unknown gunmen,” there were coordinated attacks in Abatete and Ukpo communities yesterday.

The two communities in Idemili North and Dunukofia councils, respectively, became ghost areas as business and vehicular activities came to a halt.The attackers destroyed property and killed scores of people, setting the vigilante vehicles on fire.

Though normal life and businesses were trying to pick up once more in all Anambra communities, these attacks on Abatete, which occurred at about 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. by unknown gunmen, seem to have targeted security personnel.

The assailants attacked vigilante operatives attached to the Presidents-General (PG) of the two communities, killing three people.The PG was critically injured and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he is receiving medical attention.

“We are praying for his recovery,” said a community leader.
At the Ukpo Community roundabout, Dunukofia Local Council of the state, one vigilante operative and an Okada rider were killed.

“The attackers came out of nowhere, shooting indiscriminately, shouting ‘no Biafra, no freedom.’ We are still trying to process what happened,” some eyewitnesses said.

A police source, who pleaded anonymity, said: “The police have launched an investigation into the attacks and are working to apprehend the perpetrators.

“We condemn these heinous acts and assure the public that we will do everything possible to bring the culprits to justice,” said the source.
Residents of Abatete and Ukpo are in shock, with many calling for increased security presence.

When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident, adding that the hoodlums would be apprehended.

ALSO, Abia State Police Command has confirmed that two police officers from the Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 4, Makurdi, Inspectors Dunna Jatau and Bala Mohammed, were ambushed by armed assailants while on official duty in Umuahia, the state capital.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Command, ASP Maureen Chinaka, who announced the incident yesterday, in a statement, said the incident happened on Sunday, November 17 at about 08:30 p.m., noting that the victims were assigned to Ginger Onwusibe, a member of the House of Representatives representing the Nsiala-Ngwa North/South Constituency in the state.

The PPRO stated that the officers were in a Police Toyota Hilux vehicle after accompanying and dropping off Onwusibe in Umuahia. Chinaka said: “On their way, near Umuahia South Local Government Area Secretariat in Ubakala, their vehicle was intercepted by armed men dressed in black attire, operating in a Toyota Corolla with tinted windows.”

The Police spokesperson, who disclosed that the area was immediately combed by officers of the Command as a comprehensive search operation was launched to locate the attackers, added that tactical teams have been deployed to track down the fleeing suspects, while an investigation into the incident has commenced.