The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the killing of seven persons, including security operatives, in Ihiala Local Council of the state on Monday.
The spokesperson for the command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the attack was carried out by armed men who shot sporadically at a venue where preparations are ongoing for a burial ceremony slated for today, January 2, 2025.
Earlier reports indicated that the incident occurred at about 11:30 a.m., when gunmen, who claimed to be enforcing a sit-at-home order, shot indiscriminately at people within the area.
The Guardian learnt that two police officers, some members of the local vigilante group and civilians were shot dead during the attack. Confirming the incident, Ikenga confirmed the incident said the Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, had ordered an immediate manhunt of the assailants, who attacked security operatives and unarmed civilians in Ihiala at about 11:20 a.m. on December 30, 2024. He said: “The unfortunate attack resulted in the death of seven persons, including two unarmed passers-by.
“The joint security team rescued one of the victims who is currently responding to treatment in a hospital. “The CP, while on an on-the-spot assessment visit to the scene, interviewed some eyewitnesses of the incident.”
Ikenga added that the armed men had, while escaping from the scene, shot at two security operatives at a security Observation Post (OP) close to the Council Headquarters along the Onitsha-Owerri expressway.
Speaking, the Chairman of Ihiala Local Council, Anayochukwu Charles Orjiako, expressed grief over the killings and condemned the dastardly act. The council boss also expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured personnel a speedy recovery.
“We are deeply pained by this senseless killing of our security personnel, who were working tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of our people.
“We condemn this act in its entirety and call on the perpetrators to surrender themselves to the authorities or consider themselves to have murdered sleep, the implication of which is glaring,” he added.
