On the 19th April, the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to Zone-13 Headquarters, Ukpo, Anambra State, repelled an attack on the Zonal Headquarters by unknown gunmen.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Nkeiruka Nwode, the incident happened on Monday with the attackers shooting sporadically and injuring two policemen.
It was gathered that the gunmen razed some offices and scores of vehicles during the attack but were prevented from gaining entrance into the armoury. The deceased officers have been identified as Inspector Ishaku Aura and Uzoma Uwaebuka.
This is coming days after the April 5 attack on the police headquarters and the correctional centre in Owerri, Imo State, where 38 vehicles were burnt and about 1,844 inmates freed.
Part of the statement reads,
The attackers, who came in their numbers shooting sporadically to gain access to the facility, were repelled by Police personnetoho showed profound gallantry in the face of the seemingly overwhelming attack.
Following the inability of the attackers to access the facility, they cowardly threw petrol bombs and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on vehicles within the periphery of the Headquarters. One of the criminal elements was neutralized during the exchange of gunfire between the Police and the attackers while many of the gang members escaped with gunshots injuries. One L7A2 General-Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), Ninety-two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, one locally-made smoke pistol and an axe were recovered by the Police. Regrettably, two police operatives sustained gunshot injuries and are presently receiving treatment.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Police Command, CP Kuryas Monday,, who is also standing in for the Zonal Assistant Inspector General office, has commended the Police operatives for putting up a strong resistance against the attackers.
The CP, supported by other senior officers from Zone-13 Headquarters and the State Command, is personally leading a special operation aimed at tracing, identifying and arresting the perpetrators to bring them to book. He also called on proprietors of private and public (including unorthodox) medical facilities in and around Anambra state to admit, but report anyone found seeking medical attention for bullet wounds and related injuries to the nearest police station.
The CP has called on citizens in the State not to panic but to go about their lawful duties. While assuring of the Command’s resolve to re-dominate, reclaim and secure all public spaces as directed by the Inspector General of Police, the CP enjoins members of the public to continue to support the Police with vital and timely information on the activities of criminals and other subversive elements within their respective communities.
DSP NWODE NKEIRUKA ANIPR
ZPPRO
