Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Hoodlums believed to be the dreaded unknown gunmen Monday launched deadly attacks in two Anambra communities killing unconfirmed number of persons in the process.
The attacks which reportedly occurred between 8:00 am and 10:00 am, targeted Abatete and Ukpo communities, leaving behind a trail of death and destruction.
In Abatete town, gunmen stormed the area and attacked security personnel attached to the community’s President-General (PG). In a hail of bullets, three security operatives were killed, while the PG, whose identity remains undisclosed, was critically injured and rushed to a nearby hospital.
Shortly after the Abatete incident, there was chaos in Ukpo Community, as another group of gunmen attacked the Ukpo roundabout in Dunukofia Local Government Area, killing a member of the local Vigilante Group and a motorcycle rider.
An eye witness said: “The attackers came out of nowhere, shooting indiscriminately and shouting, ‘No Biafra, no freedom.’ We are still trying to process what happened.”
Confirming the incident, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that operatives had been deployed to the affected areas to restore calm and pursue the attackers. The PPRO promised to provide further updates as investigations unfold.
The police urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with authorities as efforts to apprehend the perpetrators continue.
Ikengaonline reports that the twin attacks have left residents of the two communities in shock, as they called on the state government to rise to the insecurity in the state.
“We are tired of living in fear,” said a local resident.
“The government must do more to protect us.”
While the motive behind the attacks remains unclear, sources suggest a potential link to the IPOB sit-at-home order issued for Monday.
