Gunmen on Thursday night attacked Anambra State politician and businessman Chris Uba’s convoy in his hometown, killing four.
Among the four killed were two policemen from Enugu Command.
The gunmen waylaid Uba’s convoy at Uga junction in Aguata Local Government Area, and engaged in a gun battle with the police.
It was learnt that Uba rode in a bulletproof vehicle.
Spokesman of the Anambra Police Command Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement, said: “The Command has launched an intensive manhunt for armed insurgents who infiltrated from a neighbouring state and killed two police personnel on 28th December 2023.
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“The gang, which was disguised in military fatigue and seemed to be on a kidnap mission, were jolted on seeing two armed police officers approaching their direction.
“They opened fire on the officers who had moved ahead of the convoy they were escorting to decongest traffic gridlock. Other personnel returned fire, careful not to hit many motorists who were in traffic, forcing the bandits to flee.
“Police-led Mobile Forward Operating Base which had been on intensive patrol of the entire area throughout Christmas celebrations, promptly responded to the scene.
“It recovered a Lexus SUV the gang operated with and defused an improvised explosive device found in the vehicle. It also recovered an AK-47 rifle belonging to one of the slain personnel.”
According to Ikenga, the commissioner of police Aderemi Adeoye urged the police not to be demoralised by the supreme price paid by their colleagues from Enugu State Command, but to draw inspiration from their bravery in confronting the criminal gang.
He added: “The CP has condoled with the families of the deceased officers and Enugu State Police Command and vowed that the personnel will not die in vain.
“He has urged all officers and men of Anambra State Police Command to redouble their efforts and remain vigilant. He assured that technology would be employed to track down the criminals who unleashed the attack on Police personnel.”
