‘Several persons’ killed, truck set ablaze in attack on Enugu community

A yet-to-be-confirmed number of persons have been killed following an attack on a truck conveying travellers in Eha-Amufu community in Isi-Uzo LGA of Enugu state.

Daniel Ndukwe, spokesman of the Enugu police command, confirmed the development in a statement on Friday.

He said during the attack, which occurred on Thursday, the truck was also set ablaze.

Ahmed Ammani, Enugu commissioner of police; M.K. Ibrahim, commander of the 82 division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu; Olasoji Akinbayo, deputy commissioner of police in charge of operations; and Fidelis Ogarabe, deputy commissioner of police in charge of the state criminal investigation department, paid a visit to the area.

Also present during the visit to the scene of the incident along the Eha-Amufu/Nkalagu road was Obiora Obeagu, chairman of Isi-Uzo LGA.

“The Commissioner, while commiserating with the families of those who lost their lives in the heinous criminal act and other reported attacks in the area, has made it clear that the Police, with the active support and collaboration of other security agencies, will leave no stone unturned in fishing out the assailants and perpetrators of other acts of attack and murder in the area,” the statement reads.

“He reassures members of the Eha-Amufu community of the avowed commitment of the security agencies to deploy both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to decisively deal with the untoward security breaches in the area, while enjoining them to remain law-abiding, cooperate with the Joint Security Team and avoid acting in ways that could further breach public security and peace in the area.

“Consequently, the CP has ordered the further deployment of operational and intelligence resources to the area, while also ordering the State CID to thoroughly investigate the incident, harmonise ongoing investigations into other recent criminal incidents in the community and come up with actionable findings.

“In addition, the Commissioner has dispelled in its entirety the news making the rounds that rather than goods and some travellers, as preliminary investigation has revealed, the truck was instead loaded with firearms, ammunition and bandits.

“He describes the rumour as baseless, misleading and an act of disinformation capable of creating unnecessary panic and escalating the situation in the area.

“Hence, he warns the creators and peddlers of such fake news to desist forthwith, as they will be made to face the full wrath of the law if apprehended.”