Anambra CP visits scene of police killing, orders manhunt of perpetrators
CHIGOZIE AMADI
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has led a combined team of the Nigerian Army, the Anambra State Police Command, and the Agunechemba Security Squad to Ndiukwuenu community in Orumba North LGA of the state, the scene where gunmen killed two policemen and two civilians.
This follows the deadly attack that occurred on Sunday night along the Amansea–Ndiora–Ndiukwuenu–Awa–Ufuma Road, where the gunmen launched an attack on the convoy of Chief of Staff to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Chief Ben Nwankwo.
Investigations also revealed that the death toll from the attack has risen to four persons, comprising two police officers and two civilians who were in the convoy at the time of the incident.
During the visit late on Monday, the CP conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the crime scenes to personally evaluate the situation, reassured the local community, and oversaw tactical teams deployed for investigations.
Orutugu ordered a full-scale manhunt and the deployment of specialised forensic assets to track the perpetrators.
He, however, reprimanded the councillor, the president-general of the community, for allegedly allowing criminal elements to operate within the area without promptly alerting security agencies.
He said, “This is an on-the-spot assessment of the crime scenes to personally evaluate the situation. A full-scale manhunt and the deployment of specialised forensic assets to track the perpetrators have been initiated.
“We charge the local community to work closely with the Rapid Response Squad of the Command to facilitate the arrest and prosecution of those behind the attack using intelligence gathering.”
The operatives of Agunechemba Security Squad, who were on the visit, also confirmed that the perpetrators of the heinous crime operate from Awka, the state capital, and use a white jeep to launch attacks on neighbouring communities before retreating.
Confirming the gunmen’s mode of operation, the Publicity Secretary of the Agunechemba Security Squad, Mr Nweke Nweke, said the operatives have maintained close surveillance of the perpetrators.
“We have kept a close watch on these criminals, and we can state categorically that they are not residents of the area. They come from Awka, carry out their operations in a guerrilla-style manner, and then retreat back to the capital city.
“This is largely because our outfit has intensified operations within the capital city, making it difficult for them to perpetrate their criminal activities there. As a result, they now target neighbouring communities close to Awka.
“We are already working in collaboration with other security agencies through joint patrol operations to nip the crime in the bud. Significant progress has been made in intelligence gathering, and this indicates that we are closing in on the perpetrators,” Nweke added.
Nweke further disclosed that information supplied by members of the public and residents of affected communities had greatly assisted ongoing investigations and intelligence-gathering efforts.
The Councillor representing Ndiukwuenu Ward, the President-General of the community, and the Vice President-General have been drafted to join the joint security team in the ongoing manhunt for the gunmen responsible for the killings.
At Ndiukwuenu Community, security personnel took control of major flashpoints and combed surrounding bushes in a bid to uncover the hideouts of the assailants.
During the operation, one suspect dressed in police camouflage was arrested.
