By Tony Okafor, Awka
Three policemen were killef on Thursday when gunmen attacked a police checkpoint at Umunze, in the Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The incident, which occured around 12 noon was said to have cursed pandemonium in area as the gunmen shot indiscriminately for over an hour.
An eyewitness told our correspondent that the gunmen who were operating in unmarked dark Sports Utility Vehicle killed the cops at the Joint security checkpoint at Ihite road.
The witness said,” It was like war. For over one hour the hoodlums were shooting indiscriminately. I saw three policemen lying dead on the ground during the attack, while others took cover and shooting back from a distance. I suspect that some of the policemen also sustained gunshot injuries in the attack”
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Tochukwu Ikenga, while confirming the incident to our correspondent, vowed that the development would not deter the the command from achieving it objective of sustaining safety in the state.
He said,” It is an unfortunate incident and is part of the highest price security officers pay in serving the nation but the police command is not deterred by this development.
“The reinforcements teams are already in the area and the manhunt for the assailants is ongoing while joint security patrols have been intensified in the area.”
The PPRO added, ‘In the early hours of today , police operatives attached to Ogbunike division responding to a distress call along St Monica College Ogbunike road, arrested one Mr Jamui Emiron ‘m’ aged 22years and recovered one already damaged yellow Mitsubishi L300 bus with Anambra reg nos: UKP 729 A.
“The suspect is among a gang of armed robbers that attacked and robbed occupants of a residential house in Ezi-Ogidi, abducted a female victim and was en route to their den before police were alerted.
“The members of the neighbourhood had already supported the police by blocking the exit points within the area, intercepting the vehicle and apprehending two of the gang members while others escape.
“Unfortunately, upon the arrival of the police operatives, one of the suspects had already been set ablaze by the angry mob and the criminal operational vehicle was badly damaged. The Operatives rescued the victim, the second suspect and recover the vehicle.
“The Command while reiterating the campaign against mob action by some members of the public who resort to jungle justice whenever they arrest suspects in respect of any crime, commended the efforts and courage of community members in the apprehension of suspects but encourage them to take such suspect to the nearest police station whenever they are apprehended. This would afford the police the opportunity to conduct an appropriate investigation into the nefarious activities of the suspects and bring them to justice following extant laws. “
