The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, has strongly condemned the violent occurrences in the Nnobi and Nnewi communities. He has vowed to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice. This statement followed a kidnapping and subsequent gunfight that led to the deaths of three individuals, including a vigilante operative, and left two others injured.
In an official statement released by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, Itam expressed his outrage over the incident, labeling the attackers as cowards. He promised a relentless pursuit to apprehend them and to secure justice for the fallen vigilante and other victims.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, has ordered a manhunt for the assailants and pledged to achieve justice for the brave actions of the murdered vigilante operative and others. He condemned the killings in the strongest possible terms, describing the killers as cowards who have ‘murdered sleep.’ He offers his condolences to the families of the deceased and promises justice for the victims,” the statement read.
The violent episode unfolded on Monday when security operatives were tracking suspected kidnappers who had attacked a burial ceremony and abducted a person in Nnewi using a red Highlander SUV around 1:30 p.m. The suspects were pursued to Nnobi, where a gun battle ensued. During the exchange, a vigilante operative was fatally shot, and stray bullets injured two innocent bystanders.
The armed suspects, in their red Highlander jeep, had abducted a citizen in Nnewi and were followed to Nnobi, where they engaged in a gunfight with police. Tragically, a security operative was killed, and two passersby were fatally struck by stray bullets during the chaos.
Upon arrival at the scene, the police found five injured individuals who were quickly transported to the hospital. Unfortunately, three of the victims, including a 22-year-old woman, succumbed to their injuries, while two others remain under medical care.
Reports indicated that gunmen invaded the Nnewi community in Nnewi North Local Government Area and the Nnobi community in Idemili South LGA of Anambra State on Monday. Witnesses, speaking on condition of anonymity, said several people sustained injuries as the assailants, suspected to be enforcing a sit-at-home order, fired indiscriminately upon their arrival.
Witnesses recounted, “The gunmen arrived in three vehicles and headed straight to a popular hotel in Nnewichi. One individual in the hotel was abducted. The gunmen fired shots into the ground, causing bullets to ricochet around the hotel’s premises. They also confiscated mobile phones and other valuables from the people present.”
CP Itam has urged the public, especially eyewitnesses, to provide any information that could assist in the ongoing manhunt for the assailants. Further updates will be provided as the investigation continues.
