The police in Anambra State have begun a manhunt for killers of a vigilante commander and two others as well as the abductors of one person at Nnewi Hotel on Monday.
Also, three persons, were killed during a shootout between the police and the gunmen. An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said the hoodlums, who carried out the act, were enforcing a sit-at-home order by a secessionist group.
The source also said the gunmen seized cell phones and other valuables from their victims in the hotel. The development, according to the source, forced many people who disobeyed the order to quickly close their stalls and run home.
Spokesperson for the command, SP Ikechukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the development yesterday, said the Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Itam, had ordered an immediate manhunt for the fleeing armed men.
Ikenga said the gunmen operated in a red Highlander Sports Utility Van (SUV) and abducted a resident in Nnewi at about 1:30 p.m., on Monday.
According to him, the police trailed the gunmen to Nnobi, in Idemili South Local Council of the state, where they engaged security operatives in a gun battle.
Ikenga noted that during the duel, one of the operatives was fatally hit by a bullet from the hoodlums. He said: “In an attempt to escape the scene, bullets also fatally struck two innocent passersby in the area. The police response team at the scene recovered the bodies of the victims and took them to a hospital.
“Regrettably, three of the victims, including a 22-year-old lady, were confirmed dead by doctors on duty, while two others are currently receiving treatment.”
Ikenga added that the commissioner of police condemned the killing in strong terms, describing the perpetrators as cowards who had murdered sleep.
By Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka
