Unknown gunmen attack Anambra police station, leaving six dead

Six people were killed when some armed men opened fire on the 3-3 Police Divisional Headquarters at Nkwelle-Ezunaka in the Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Three policemen were killed in an incident at Ukpo and Ogidi less than a day prior to this.

According to reports, five suspects and a police officer perished in the incident that took place on Sunday at around 5:58 am.

According to a source in the neighborhood, as the shooters approached the station’s entrance, they began firing randomly but were engaged and resisted by station officers.

The source claimed that a police office had been partially burned by a petrol bomb the assailants had thrown into the station.

At the time of publication, information regarding the death toll was still hazy. Some sources claimed that six people perished in the attack, while others stated that eight people perished.

The source stated, “In the early hours of Sunday, residents at the 3-3 Layout of Onitsha were awakened from sleep by exchange of gunshots as armed men stormed the Divisional Police Station, Nkwelle Ezunaka located at the 3-3 junction.

“The police station shares a fence wall with the Federal Government Girls College and it is opposite a commercial bank and near the St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Onitsha. It is a boundary location.

“Even the parishioners at the Ebenezer Anglican Church located near the area and parishioners at the St. Theresa’s Catholic opposite the police station ran away from their respective morning mass service.”

He claimed that a tricycle driver who decided to peep instead of fleeing was shot in the neck and killed. He also claimed that a well-known barber named “small” who was also peeping was also killed.

The area had been blocked off by the police as of 8:52 am, according to the state police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the event.

In response to a distress call about an attack at the 3-3 Police Divisional Headquarters, Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Oyi LGA, Ikenga said the combined security team, made up of the police and the military, neutralized a gang of five armed men, recovered two Ak47 rifles, one Toyota Sienna with Reg No Abuja ABC 848 EQ, charms, and other incriminating items.

“The notorious gang of five, armed with guns, IEDs, and petrol bombs, started shooting indiscriminately to gain entrance to the station and were engaged and resisted by gallant officers attached to the station,” the police said.

He added that one patrol car parked in front of the station was set on fire by the gunmen during the gun battle, tragically resulting in the death of a station police officer, and that a petrol bomb was thrown inside the facility and partially damaged an office.

“The situation is under control and the incident is still being assessed. Meanwhile, joint operations are still ongoing and further development shall be communicated, please,” Ikenga added.