The police in conjunction with the military in Anambra state today in the fight against terror killed three gunmen and also arrested 2 suspects. In a press release made available to this newspaper from the PPRO Anambra state police command DSP Ikenga Toochukwu read thus "Today 20/02/2023 at about 02:20 am, gunmen suspected to be IPOB/ESN attacked Awada Police Station in Idemilli North LGA of Anambra State using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and automatic firearms."
He said that in response to the attack, the police operatives attached to Anambra State command engaged the assailants jointly with troops from 302 Artillery Regiment of the Nigeria Army, and in a gun duel three members of the outlawed IPOB/ESN were fatally wounded while three Kalashnikov rifles and one Automatic Pump Action gun were recovered from them.
He said that other items recovered from the assailants include a brown Lexus 330 with reg no. GWA 415BB ABJ, one unregistered KYMCO motorcycle suspected to be stolen , charms and other incriminating items.
The spokesperson of the police in Anambra further stated that during a mop-up operation by police/military operatives, two male suspects reasonably believed to have participated in the attack were apprehended. In the course of this operation, regrettably, four police operatives paid the supreme price while a section of the station, one police patrol vehicle and three exhibit vehicles parked in the premises were set ablaze by petrol bombs thrown into the station by the assailants.
He however stressed that the Commissioner of Police CP Echeng E. Echeng has since visited the incident scene, and after conducting spot assessments, ordered the immediate deployment of all the command's operational/investigative assets to track down fleeing members of the murderous gang. The CP he said further appeals to residents of Awada and the good people of Anambra State to remain calm as the police, in collaboration with sister agencies, will not rest on its oars until the criminal elements tormenting the state are brought to justice.