Gunmen kill police officer, vigilante member in Anambra

Gunmen have reportedly killed a police officer and a vigilante member in Obosi community, Idemili North LGA of Anambra state.

The gunmen were said to have attacked a police facility used by the anti-cult operatives on Thursday using three vehicles.

Confirming the incident in a statement on Friday, Ikenga Tochukwu, the state police spokesperson, said police operatives repelled the attack and recovered unexploded explosives and other dangerous materials from the attackers.

“The hoodlums came in three unmarked vehicles, a highlander, one Toyota Sienna, and one Toyota Corolla started shooting sporadically and threw petrol bombs in the station. The operatives stood firm, engaged the criminals, and thwarted the heavily planned damage to the buildings in the formation,” the statement reads.

“During the gun duel by the responding team comprising of police and vigilante operatives, unfortunately, one police operative and a vigilante member were fatally hit by a bullet and the already fire ignited by the patrol bomb they threw inside the police compound affected partially a few of the offices.

“The fire has been put off, and operations are still ongoing, further details shall be communicated.”

There have been several reports of attacks across Nigeria in recent times.

On Thursday, Naemeka Ugboma, a judge and the chairman of the customary court in Ejemekwuru, Oguta LGA of Imo state, was shot dead when gunmen invaded the court during proceedings.

Also on Tuesday, gunmen set ablaze the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Idemili south LGA of the state.

The commission said 729 ballot boxes, 243 voting cubicles, 256 election bags, 11 megaphones, and one electric power generator were destroyed during the attack.