Anambra: Police officer, six others killed in fresh attack on police facility

A police officer was, on Sunday, killed when suspected members of the outlawed Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) attacked 3-3 Police Divisional Headquarters in Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, south-east Nigeria.

The incident occurred at about 5:58 a.m.

The police spokesperson in the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, said six of the IPOB members were killed by police operatives who repelled the attack.

Mr Ikenga, a deputy superintendent of police, said the IPOB members, alongside its militant wing, Eastern Security Network, in their numbers, invaded the police facility in two SUV vehicles and a Toyota Sienna.

The police spokesperson said the hoodlums were armed with rifles and improvised explosive devices.

He said, on arrival, the attackers shot indiscriminately to gain entrance into the facility but were fiercely resisted by police operatives led by the divisional police officer who initially engaged them in a shoot-out before a reinforcement team comprising military and police mobile force operatives arrived at the scene.

“During the gun duel, unfortunately, one police operative attached to the station was fatally wounded and an office in the facility was partially affected by the petrol bomb the insurgents threw inside the station,” he said.

“Also, one patrol vehicle parked in front of the station was set ablaze by the gunmen.”

Mr Ikenga said some of the hoodlums escaped with gunshot injuries during the shoot-out. He said the situation was under control and being monitored.

“Joint operations are ongoing to track down the fleeing insurgents,” he added.

Two AK-47 rifles, a Toyota Sienna vehicle and charms were among the items recovered from the gunmen during the operation, according to the police.

Increased attacks

Like other states in Nigeria’s south-east, security has deteriorated in Anambra State with frequent attacks by armed persons.