Two alleged gunmen who were terrorizing state residents were slain by Anambra Vigilante Group agents.
It was learned that the event took place early on Monday in Okija, in the state’s Ihiala Local Government Area.
The Ihiala LGA is a border town between the states of Imo and Anambra, and it was reported that the local hoodlums had been terrorizing the local residents and compelling them to observe the Monday sit-at-home ban.
Sources in the area claim that the gunmen, who reportedly numbered around 15, invaded the vigilante operators’ camp while they were dozing off and tried to shoot them before the security personnel swiftly mobilized and repelled them in a gun battle.
One of the informants stated, “Some hoodlums attempted to attack the Anambra Security Forces this morning at around 3:00 am but were fiercely rebuffed.
“Two of the gunmen were gunned down during a hot exchange of fire and two AK-47 rifles were also recovered, while many fled the scene.
“Many of the gunmen who fled as they could not withstand the superior firepower of the security operatives, sustained various degrees of injury and bullet wounds, while members of Anambra Security Forces were unscathed.”
In response to the news, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s press secretary, Christian Aburime, issued a statement confirming the incident.
Aburime said, “The need for a sane and secure environment in Anambra State remains a top priority of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration. Accordingly, security forces remain unrelenting in their resolve to protect the lives and property of ndị Anambra, travelers, and all residents alike.”
Some of the locals who spoke about the development expressed happiness, stating that the neighborhood has been terrorized by hoodlums for a while.
A resident who gave her name simply as Chinwendu, said, “The hoodlums had been terrorizing Okija for a long time. Most of the time, they come in the name of enforcing the Monday sit-at-home and use it to unleash mayhem.
“This is the reason the people in the area constituted a security committee. And we thank God that the initiative has started yielding results. Our people are determined to succeed on this project.”
When contacted, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, the spokesman for the Anambra State Police, confirmed the development and urged managers of both private and public hospitals to report any patients with gunshot wounds.
Ikenga stated that the police and vigilante operations are already working together to apprehend gang members who are fleeing after being shot or otherwise injured.
“The AVG operatives repelled the attack in the early hours of today, 19/6/2023 at their office at Okija, demobilized two of the attackers, and recovered two Ak-47 rifles. No life was lost among the operatives and the AVG office is still intact.
“Also, the Command wants to use this opportunity to call on the proprietors of both private and public hospitals to admit but report all persons with gunshot or related injuries to the nearest police station.
“From what our men were able to find out, the fleeing suspects sustained bullet injuries, and we are working with AVG operatives to ensure we track them down
“We are only calling on operators of private hospitals and managers of public hospitals in the area to be alert and report people with bullet injuries when they come for treatment.
“You may not entirely reject them, but upon admission, make sure you alert the police, so we can pick such a person and investigate the source of such a bullet injury,” Ikenga added.
