Chukwudike Ndubeze, Awka
Police operatives in Anambra State, yesterday, overpowered a gang of hoodlums believed to be gunmen terrorizing different quarters of the state in the past weeks.
The State Police Command confirmed that the gunmen were neutralized during a gun battle at Nteje Divisional Headquarters in Oyi Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement, Police spokesperson in the state, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said that the Police Commissioner, CP Echeng Echeng, led a squad to launch an offensive on the gunmen who attacked the station.
Ikenga stated that the CP received a distress call that the station was under attack and raced to the scene where men of the police force engaged the criminals with one of the hoodlums shot dead, while others escaped.
He also stated that police recovered ammunition, including one type O6 rifle, one magazine and 53 live ammunition of 5.56mm and charms.
The statement reads: “Anambra Police Operatives, led by CP Echeng Echeng, today, 14/4/2022, at about 3am, foiled an attack by gunmen at Nteje Divisional headquarters Oyi LGA.
“The operatives recovered one type O6 rifle, one magazine and 53 live ammunition of 5.56mm and charms.
“CP Echeng led the crack squad when responding to the distress call as the station came under attack by the deadly gang. The police operatives decisively dealt with the assailants.
“During the gun duel, one of the gunmen was neutralised and, due to the superior fire of the police operatives, the assailants fled the scene.
“The station was secured and all police operatives and arms were intact.”
“The CP reiterated that the command will not relent in delivering on its mandate on protection of lives and properties.
“He commended the officers and men of the command for their gallantry, perseverance and painstaking efforts to weed out all criminal elements in the state.”