“Gunmen Strike Again: Two Police Officers Killed in South-East Attack”

Babatunji Wusu –

In a recent escalation of violence in Nigeria’s South-east, gunmen have killed two police officers in Anambra State. The attack occurred early Monday morning when the assailants stormed the Umunze Divisional Police Headquarters in the Orumba South Local Government Area.

According to a statement from Anambra State Police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga, Superintendent of Police, the attackers used improvised explosives and engaged in a fierce gunfight with the officers on duty. The attack led to significant damage to the police facility, and unfortunately, two police operatives lost their lives during the confrontation. Their bodies have been recovered and transported to the morgue.

This incident follows a recent similar attack in Imo State, where gunmen targeted the Njaba Divisional Police Headquarters. In that attack, three of the attackers were killed. The Anambra attack is suspected to have been carried out by members of an unnamed secessionist group, which has been implicated in various acts of violence in the region.

The combined security forces, including the police, army, navy, and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, are currently on the trail of the attackers. They have recovered five unexploded improvised explosives from the scene. Commissioner of Police Nnaghe Obono has visited the site to reassess security measures and reinforce the area.

Mr. Obono has urged residents to support the police with any information that could aid in the investigation, assuring them that their tips will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.

Security has been deteriorating across the South-east, with frequent attacks targeting security agencies, government officials, and facilities. This trend includes recent incidents such as the attack on Obowo Police Divisional Headquarters in Imo State on September 4, where a police officer was killed, and the bombing of Oba Police Divisional Headquarters in Anambra on September 2, which also resulted in the death of a police officer.

The Nigerian government has accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of orchestrating these attacks, but the group has consistently denied any involvement. IPOB is known for its agitation for an independent Biafra, which it seeks to establish from parts of the South-east and South-south regions of Nigeria.