From Isaac Ojo Awka, Ifeoma Ejiofor Nnewi
The Anambra State Commisioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam has confirmed the killing of three persons and abduction of one, on Monday.
The hoodlums had stormed the industrial town of Nnewi and attacked a popular hotel at Nnewichi-Nnewi, in Nnewi North LGA of the state.
Many people who were in the hotel at the time of the attack were said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries during the attack while a yet to be identified man was abducted.
It became a case of hunters becoming the hunted as unknown gunmen who had gone to the industrial town of Nnewi attacked the members of Anambra Vigilante Service (AVS) that went after them.
In the course of the shoot out at Nnobi in Idemili South LGA, Mr Chieloka Ubajekwe, the Commander and one other operative were killed the gunmen.
Another woman was said to be hit by the bullets of gunmen who had gone to enforce sit at home ordered by IPOB in the industrial town.
Many people who went out to do little business midway into the day had to quickly close their shops and rush home.
Meanwhile, the Anambra Commisioner of Police has vowed to get justice on the heroic act of the murdered vigilante operative and others.
CP Itam has ordered an immediate manhunt operation on the armed men operating in a red Highlander jeep, who abducted a citizen in Nnewi by 1:30 pm on Monday and were trailed to Nnobi, where they engaged security operatives in a gun battle
“During the gun duel, one of the security Operatives was fatally hit by the bullet and due to the indiscriminate shootings by the hoodlums in an attempt to escape the scene, the bullet also fatally struck two innocent passersby in the area.
“The Commissioner condemned the killing in the strongest possible terms and described the killers as cowards who have murdered sleep.
“He condoles the families of the deceased and vows to get justice for the heroic act of the murdered Vigilantes Operative and unsuspecting members at the scene and also call on members of the public especially the eyewitnesses to assist us with information on the ongoing onslaught Operation,” PPRO Ikechukwu Ikenga said.
