There was tension in the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State as yet-to-be-identified gunmen killed four operatives of the Anambra Vigilante Services at about 2 am on Thursday.
The hoodlums were also said to have set five buildings on fire during the attack.
According to a source within the community, the attackers used Improvised Explosive Devise to burn down about five targeted buildings in the area.
The source also disclosed that one of the buildings that was burnt housed an office belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said the gunmen beheaded one of the vigilante operatives after attacking and killing four of them.
The incident was confirmed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, who also could not ascertain the reason for the attack.
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The spokesperson revealed that police operatives were alerted and one of the gunmen was killed by police operatives when they were confronted at the scene.
He said police and military operations are currently ongoing in the area.
He said, “Following the police/military operations ongoing in Ihiala and its neighbouring town, the operatives responding to a distress call at about 2:55 am, today 12/1/2023 of an attack on Ihiala local government headquarters.
“The police neutralized one of the attackers, recovered two locally made IED luncher, seven undenoted IEDs, forty pieces of live cartridges, fifteen live 7.62MM Ak47 ammunition, knives, charms, and other dangerous weapons.
“The attackers had already murdered, three vigilante operatives on duty, beheaded one and set five buildings ablaze with IED and petrol bombs.
“The joint force operatives engaged the arsonist/attackers, and obstructed them from causing further damages, while some escaped with bullet wounds.
“The bodies of the victims were recovered and joint operations are still ongoing. Further development shall be communicated, please.”