Five unknown gunmen who invaded the Divisional Police Station, Nkwelle Ezunaka, located at the 3-3 junction in Anambra state have been gunned down.
Nigeriacrime.com gathered that the gunmen in the early hours of Sunday invaded the station which shares a boundary fence with the Federal Government Girls College Onitsha while on the opposite side is a branch First Bank and St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Onitsha.
The sporadic gunshots by the hoodlums sent shocking waves to the spines of the resident in the area as Catholic faithful who were at the early morning mass at Theresa’s Catholic Church, were said to have ran for their lives.
The Police Station was among those destroyed during the #EndSARS protest in the state and has not been fully reconstructed.
Residents in the area particularly the 3-3 Layout and some parts of 3-3 Housing Estate were awakened from sleep by gunshots by armed men who stormed the Divisional Police Station.
The parishioners at the Ebenezer Anglican Church which is also near the Police Station and Federal Government Girls College Onitsha station after the Nsugbe Junction 3-3 junction also fled from the church following the terrifying gunshots.
A vendor Emeka Okoye who witnessed the incident said a tricycle operator was killed in the crossfire between the gunmen and policemen. He was hit by a bullet in his neck and he died instantly.
Another victim of the gunmen’s attack was a popular barber called “Small” who was also said to be peeping from a hideout near the gun battle scene.
Some suspects detained in the Police Station were released from the Police cell and told to go home.”
However, confirming the story, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Office, PPRO, Ikenga Tochukwu, said a combined security team, made up of the Police and the military, at 5:58 am, neutralize a gang of five armed men, recovers two Ak47 rifles, one Toyota Sienna vehicle with Reg No Abuja ABC 848 EQ, charms and other incriminating items, in a response to a distress call on an attack at 3 3 Police Divisional Headquarters, Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Oyi Local Government Area, of the state.
According to Ikenga, “The notorious gang of five, armed with guns, IEDs, and petrol bombs, started shooting indiscriminately to gain entrance to the station and were engaged and resisted by gallant officers attached to the station.”
“During the gun duel, unfortunately, one police operative attached to the station was fatally wounded and an office in the facility was partially affected by the petrol bomb the armed men threw inside the station. Also, one patrol vehicle parked in front of the station was set ablaze by the gunmen.
“The situation is under control and the incident is still being assessed. Meanwhile, Joint operations are still ongoing and further development shall be communicated, please”