From Maurice Okafor,Enugu
The assault on security officials has taken a deadly dimension in Enugu state,as four police officers and some civilians were reportedly murdered hesterday,at a police check point in Obeagu-Amechi Community in Enugu South Local Government Area,during a gun duel with the murderers.
Though the Enugu state police comand is yet to make a categorical statement on the sad incidence, but eye witnesses and information gathered from the villagers have confirmed the inicident. An eyewitnesses said the attack started at about 5:30pm yesterday(Wednesday evening) at a spot calked ' Mmiri Ocha 'and the police men at the checkpoint tried very much to repel the attack which lasted uptill 7pm. He said presumed though there were casualties on both side but four corpses of uniformed police men, a Pastor,a neighbourhood official and some other civilians were identified later. He said a police patrol vehicle was also set on fire by the hoodlums.
According to him, the corpses were taken to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku - Ozalla mortuary. His words, "The gun battle between the policemen and the unknown gunmen was too heavy. The entire area was thrown into confusion as everybody within the scene scampered for safety. We have not experienced this type of incident in this area. It happened along Obeagu - Amechi Road to Agbani Nkanu a few kilometers from Enugu State capital," the source told The Advocate on phone. It was gathered that operatives of Amagunze police division, who were promptly alerted, laid an ambush for the fleeing gunmen and killing some of them.
In response to the rumours of the sad incidence when it emanated yesterday, the Enugu state police public relations officer,Mr Daniel Ndukwe had stated,
“Information surrounding the shooting incidents in the evening hours of today, 21/07/2021, where Police Operatives were allegedly attacked by yet-to-be identified gunmen at checkpoints in Obeagu-Amechi in Enugu South LGA and Amagunze in Nkanu East LGA are still sketchy." He said that preliminary investigations have commenced assuring that further development will be communicated..But some ofv the villagers who were throne in mourning mood confirmed the incidence this morning,,when contacted.
