The Anambra State Police command has neutralised no fewer than 10 gunmen and destroyed three camps habouring the criminals in Achalla, Awka North Local Government Area.
The state police spokesperson, Toochukwu Ikenga, in a statement on Saturday, said the attack took place on Friday.
Ikenga said the criminals had earlier captured two policemen and a civilian who was described as a car tracker, who had joined the policemen in their operation, with the aim of recovering a stolen vehicle.
He added that the hoodlums murdered their captives (two policemen and the civilian) and set their bodies ablaze.
He said the police however reinforced and dislodged the criminals, leading to the killing of over 10 of them, while many others escaped with bullet injuries.
He said, “During the operation, police recovered a human skull, one locally made rocket propelled grande RPG launcher, two bombs, one single-barrel long gun, an empty chain of bullet.
“Other recovered items include; one Toyota Sienna, one Mercedes Benz 4matic jeep, two cylinders, a huge quantity of hard drugs and other items, including a police beret and a police belt.”
“The recovery came following a counter-offensive operation launched against criminal elements who had on 15/7/2022 laid an ambush against a six-man police team and a civilian car tracker who were on a recovery operation of a Toyota Sienna space wagon.
“The vehicle was earlier snatched at gun point on 9/7/2022 in Oye-Agu Abagana. Four of the police operatives escaped the ambush, while two of the police operatives and the car tracker were captured by the criminals.”
Ikenga further stated that during the counter-offensive operation, police operatives neutralized over 10 of the armed men and destroyed three of their camps.
“Unfortunately, some of the hoodlums escaped with bullet wounds. They had murdered their captives (two policemen and a civilian) and set their bodies ablaze.
“The remains of the two murdered police officers and the civilian car-tracker have been recovered and deposited in a morgue, while police operation is still ongoing in the area to track the fleeing gang members.”
Ikenga quoted the state Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, as condoling with the families and friends of the murdered civilians and the police operatives, describing the incident as a classic example of the risk and sacrifices the police are exposed to in the onerous task of serving and protecting the country.
Echeng also assured Anambra people that efforts were being intensified towards total reclamation and domination of all the public spaces occupied by hoodlums in the state by apprehending and bringing them and their accomplices to justice.
