Gunmen have reportedly attacked and killed three police officers at a checkpoint in Agbani, the headquarters of Enugu State’s Nkanu West Local Government Area.
According to reports, the incident occurred Saturday morning near the railway crossing in Agbani town.
The attack comes just 12 hours after gunmen killed a former Commissioner for Rural Development, Ozo Onuzulike, and his elder brother, Elvis, in their hometown of Nkpokolo-Achi in the state’s Oji-River Council Area.
Although the police have not confirmed the incident, sources confirmed that gunmen stormed the checkpoint near the Agbani police station around 8 a.m. and shot three police officers dead at close range.
According to the source, the attack appeared as if the gunmen were already somewhere monitoring their activities before striking.
However, a resident of the area who witnessed the attack, said, “The policemen were caught unaware because they were busy extorting Okada riders when the gunmen swooped on them.
“If you see what they do here, you won’t pity them. How can you be at a checkpoint in an area that has witnessed several attacks and you will relax and be collecting money and giving change to Okada riders.
“Unfortunately, these criminals took advantage and attacked them. They shot three dead and three others escaped with some gun shots. The hoodlums carted away their guns and took Ugboka – Nara Unateze road and escaped.”
Meanwhile, the Enugu State Police Command has not reacted to the attack.
Also, efforts to get the reaction of the command’s spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, were unsuccessful as he did not take his calls.
However, Ndukwe, in a statement in reaction to the killing of former Commissioner Onuzulike and his brother, said the command had launched manhunt for the fleeing criminals.
He said two of the gunmen were killed by combined security operatives when they were trying to escape to Anambra State.
He said, “Preliminary report reveals that two of the gunmen, said to have infiltrated Oji-River from neighbouring Anambra community in the evening hours of Friday, attacked and murdered one Gabriel Onuzulike (identified as former Chairman of Oji-River LGA and Commissioner in Enugu) and his brother at Nkpokolo-Achi in Oji-River LGA, were neutralised by a joint police/Army team.
“The team swiftly responded to a distress call over the incident, and intercepted the gunmen at Inyi community of the same LGA, as they were escaping into Anambra.
“The Team further recovered an AK-47 rifle with two magazines loaded with ammunition, while a Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep belonging to the deceased victims; as well as a Toyota Camry vehicle, which the gunmen attempted to snatch from another victim, and a RAV4 Jeep they used for the heinous criminal operation, among other incriminating items, were also recovered.
“Meanwhile, manhunt of the assailants, many of whom escaped into nearby forest with severe degrees of gunshot wounds in the ensuing gun duel, as a result of the superior firepower of the Joint Team, is still ongoing. Further development will be communicated.”
Hon Onuzulike contested and lost the recent Peoples Democratic Party primary in bid to represent Aninri/Awgu/Oji River federal constituency in the House of Representatives.
He served the Ugwuanyi administration as a commissioner between 2015 and 2019. Prior to this, he equally served two terms as elected Chairman of Oji River Local Government Area Council.