Officer shot dead as gunmen attack police patrol team in Anambra

An officer died of gunshot injuries on Thursday, following an attack on a police patrol team along the Nimo-Neni link road in Anaocha LGA of Anambra state.

The police command in Anambra confirmed the incident, adding that another officer also sustained gunshot injuries.

Toochukwu Ikenga, a deputy superintendent of police and the command’s public relations officer, said there were at least 20 gunmen conveyed in three Toyota Sienna buses and motorcycles, who engaged the policemen in a gun duel.

According to NAN, the gun battle lasted about 30 minutes before the attackers were forced to flee the scene.

“There was an attack on a police patrol team at Okacha junction, Neni in Anaocha, by yet-to-be-identified gunmen on March 18 at about 4:30pm,” Ikenga said.

“The hoodlums, numbering over 20, engaged the policemen in a gun duel for over 30 minutes before reinforcement from the state headquarters arrived, forcing the hoodlums to escape.

“As a result, two police operatives sustained gunshot injuries and were rushed to the hospital for medical attention, where one was confirmed dead by a medical doctor.”

The spokesman added that Monday Kuryas, he commissioner of police, visited the scene of the incident and ordered an investigation into the attack.

He maintained that those behind the attack would be brought to justice.