Chinedu Eze
Fear has gripped the people of Anambra state as they pray that the tragic years of killings does not return with the horrific killing of two policemen attached to Governor Charles Soludo’s security details Sunday.
This has prompted the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu to give a marching order to all formations and operational units of the State command and directed them to find the killers in the next 48 hours.
The two cops were in the convoy of Hon. Ben Nwankwo, the Chief of Staff to the State governor, Profesor Chukwuma Soludo when they were attacked by the gunmen.
Reports indicate that the gunmen ambushed the convoy and other travellers enroute Amansea -Ndiukwuenu – Ufuma road and opened fire, forcing security personnel attached to the governor’s aide to return fire, but two security personnel lost their lives while others were wounded, with the Chief of Staff escaping death by the whiskers.
A tricycle operator who witnessed the sad event captured it on a viral video showing the scene and lifeless bodies of the two cops on the road.
Confirming the tragic incident, the Commissioner of police revealed that the Chief of Staff had attended a function on behalf of the governor and was returning to Awka when the incident occurred on last Sunday night at 8.30pm.
Orutugu therefore issued a directive during an emergency security meeting with senior police officers and heads of operations at the command headquarters, yesterday, emphasising that such an attack on security personnel would not be tolerated under his leadership.
“I want you to fish out the attackers and the killers of our officers. I demand immediate action to apprehend those responsible for this heinous act.
“I want results. The people of Anambra State must know that the police are fully in charge and ready to protect them,” he said.
According to him, the slain officers must get justice, adding that he cannot remain silent while police personnel continue to lose their lives at the hands of criminals.
“I hereby declare ‘Operation Fish Them Out.’ Criminals cannot continue to take advantage of the night to unleash violence in the state.
“This kind of killing cannot happen under my watch. We must bring the perpetrators to justice and put an end to their activities,” he ordered.
He called on members of the public to be vigilant and cautious of individuals posing as security personnel at checkpoints, stressing that investigations had revealed that some criminal elements now operate while dressed in police and military uniforms.
“The general public is hereby advised to be vigilant concerning persons operating at various checkpoints, as some miscreants now wear security uniforms while carrying out criminal activities,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police further cautioned motorists and commuters to exercise restraint while travelling along the Amansea – Ufuma Road, describing it “as a lonely stretch that has recently become a haven for criminal activities.
“The Amansea – Ufuma Road is a particularly isolated route. Commuters and members of the public should exercise caution while using the road, as it has, in recent times, become a den of criminal elements,” he added.
He, however, reassured residents that the command remains committed, prepared, and battle-ready to guarantee the safety of lives and property across Anambra State.
He expressed confidence that significant breakthroughs would be achieved within the next 48 hours.
