Police operatives in Anambra State have neutralized a member of a notorious gang terrorizing residents during a gunfight along the Agulu/Nnobi road.
The spokesman for the state police command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday, detailing the successful operation and the recovery of weapons and stolen vehicles.
"On November 29, 2024, at about 8:30 p.m., operatives from the operations department of the command attached to a VIP in the state demobilized one of the criminal elements. Items recovered include one pump-action gun, five live cartridges, five machetes, two SUVs, and two pairs of desert shoes," Ikenga said.
Unprovoked Attack on VIP Convoy
The gang reportedly launched an unprovoked attack on a convoy carrying a VIP. Police operatives swiftly retaliated, engaging the assailants in a shootout.
"The armed men, operating in a grey Lexus ES 330 (plate number ACA 551 MA) and an ash-colored Toyota Highlander (plate number SMK 544), attacked the convoy. Swift action by the Joint Security Team, including Police and Anaocha Local Government Area Vigilante operatives, forced the attackers to abandon their vehicles and flee into the bush with bullet wounds," Ikenga explained.
Kidnap Victims Rescued
During the operation, police also rescued two kidnap victims abducted earlier in the week. Tragically, one of the victims, who had been shot by the criminals, succumbed to injuries at the hospital, while the other is responding well to treatment.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims were abducted on November 27, 2024, along Ugwunwasike-Ogidi Road in Idemili North Local Government Area. The gang shot their captives and abandoned them in a vehicle after realizing they were being pursued by security operatives.
Ongoing Investigations
The police have intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects, calling on the public to report any individuals with suspicious gunshot wounds. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to ensuring the safety of residents in the state.
This operation highlights the Anambra Police Command’s resolve to combat crime and restore peace in the region.
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