Gunmen launch attacks in Anambra, one killed, police officers injured as security tightens

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By Sunny A. David, Awka

Anambra State witnessed two violent attacks by unknown gunmen this week, leaving one woman dead and several Police officers injured in separate incidents across Idemili North Local Government Area.

The first attack occurred on Monday along the Nkpor–Nnobi Road, where a convoy belonging to former Anambra State Governor, Dr. Chris Ngige, came under heavy gunfire.

According to a statement by his former media aide, Sir Fred Chukwuelobe, Dr. Ngige was not in the convoy at the time of the ambush.

During the assault, gunmen dressed in Military and Police uniforms shot a Police officer in the pilot vehicle and reportedly made away with his gun and uniform.

A tragic turn of events followed when a woman attempting to record the incident on her phone was shot dead. A shop owner who rushed toward the scene out of curiosity was also shot and suffered severe blood loss.

He is scheduled for surgery to remove bullets but is reported to be in stable condition.

The pilot vehicle was badly damaged by gunfire, while the escort team leader who sustained injuries has undergone surgery and is expected to recover fully.

Chukwuelobe added that Dr. Ngige has been in contact with the affected officers and families, assuring them of proper medical care while extending condolences to the family of the woman killed during the attack.

In a separate but possibly related incident on Wednesday, heavily armed men again struck this time ambushing a joint Police patrol team along the Abatete–Eziowelle Road in Idemili North. Officers from the Department of Operations in Awka and the Special Anti-Cultism Squad were conducting a routine patrol when they came under sudden attack.

Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants arrived in a convoy consisting of a white Toyota Hummer bus, a black Lexus 350 SUV, and a white Toyota Highlander, all without registration numbers and driven by men dressed in uniforms resembling those of security agencies. A brief gun duel ensued, causing panic among residents.

The attackers later retreated, but not before setting ablaze a patrol bus belonging to the Anti-Cultism Squad. A Department of Operations pickup truck was also riddled with bullets, as seen in videos circulating online.

Police Spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the Abatete–Eziowelle attack, noting that officers “successfully repelled” the gunmen and that no civilian casualties were recorded.

He added that Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu has ordered heightened security across the State in response to the escalating violence.

“All divisions, formations, and patrol teams are now on high alert,” Ikenga said, urging residents to remain calm and report suspicious activity to the nearest Police station or through emergency hotlines.

As of press time, the Anambra State Police Command has not yet issued an official statement regarding the earlier attack on Ngige’s convoy.