Unknown gunmen on Wednesday night in an attack in Enugu left no fewer than four policemen and some unidentified persons dead.
The attack occurred at a checkpoint in Obeagu-Amechi community in Enugu South Local Government Area.
Apart from security operatives, it was learnt that some residents and passers-by, who ran into the incident, were either killed or wounded by stray bullets in the gun duel between policemen and the gunmen.
Sources said there were casualties on both sides, even as a patrol van belonging to the police was razed.
It was gathered that the attack, which started about 6:30p.m. on Wednesday at a busy spot at Mmiri Ocha Amodu, lasted till 8.30p.m.
A source said four policemen, a pastor and a neighbourhood watch officer were among the dead taken to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla morgue.
“The gun battle was heavy. The entire area was thrown into confusion as everyone within the scene scampered to safety. We have not experienced this kind of incident in this area. It happened along Obeagu-Amechi Road to Agbani Nkanu a few kilometres from Enugu State capital,” the source said.
It was also gathered that operatives of Amagunze police division, who were promptly alerted, laid an ambush for the fleeing gunmen and killed some of them.
Police spokesman in Enugu, Mr. Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the incident but stated that “information on the shooting in the evening of 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, is still sketchy.”
He said preliminary investigations had commenced and assured that further development would be communicated.
