Gunmen Attack Chris Uba in Anambra, Kill Four Police Operatives, Civilians

 Police: We’ve launched a manhunt for them

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Gunmen on Thursday night attacked the convoy of self-styled godfather of Anambra politics, Chief Chris Uba.

THISDAY learnt that vehicles in the convoy were riddled with bullets, just as two police operatives attached to the politician were killed, including two other civilians who were said to have been hit by stray bullets. It was also gathered that another politician, and a chieftain of Labour Party, Mr. Val Ozigbo narrowly escaped the attack.

The source said: “We witnessed what happened. Chris Uba’s convoy ran into the men who were stationed at Uga Junction, who opened fire on them.

“Uba was able to escape because he was riding in a bullet proof vehicle, but the policemen were not so lucky as they were killed.

“Val Ozigbo was coming back from Owerri with members of his family when he suddenly saw a convoy driving ferociously toward his own convoy, and attempting to edge him off the road. His convoy quickly cleared off the road to let the other convoy pass by.

“Shortly after they overtook Ozigbo, they ran into the gunmen at Uga Junction who started shooting, and killed two police men and two civilians. Ozigbo who parked while the incident was happening, later learnt that the convoy that was attacked was that of Uba, who had earlier overtaken him.”

Though there were insinuations that the men had the motive of kidnapping the politician, but it was not clear if anyone was kidnapped, though in the ensuing pandemonium, many people were said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries.

Meanwhile, police authorities in a press release by the state police command’s spokesperson, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said it has launched a manhunt for the attackers.

The release read: “Anambra State Police Command has launched an intensive manhunt for armed insurgents who infiltrated from a neighbouring state and killed two police personnel on 28th December 2023 at about 18.30 hours (6.30 p.m.)

“The gang which disguised in military fatigue and seemed to be on a kidnap mission were jolted on seeing two armed police officers approaching their direction. They opened fire on the officers who had moved ahead of the convoy they were escorting to decongest traffic gridlock. Other personnel returned fire, careful not to hit many motorists who were in traffic, forcing the bandits to flee.

“Police-led mobile Forward Operating Base which had been on intensive patrol of the entire area throughout Christmas celebrations promptly responded to the scene.

“It recovered a Lexus SUV the gang operated with and defused an improvised explosive device found in the vehicle. It also recovered an AK-47 RIFLE belonging to one of the slain personnel.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye who had declared the weekend and Christmas holidays as special working days for all officers and men in the Command commended all personnel for their tireless and courageous effort in securing the people of Anambra State.

“He urged them not to be demoralized by the supreme price paid by their colleagues from Enugu State Command but to draw inspiration from their bravery in confronting the criminal gang.

“He condoled with the families of the deceased officers and Enugu State Police Command and vowed that the personnel will not die in vain.

“He has urged all officers and men of Anambra  State Police Command to redouble their efforts and remain vigilant. He assured that technology would be employed to track down the criminals who unleashed the attack on Police personnel.”