Tony Okafor, Awka
The police in Anambra state at the weekend killed no fewer 10 hoodlums in Achalla, Awka North Local Government Area of the state.
It also raided and destroyed three forest camps habouring criminals, otherwise known as unknown gunmen.
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga disclosed this on Saturday, stating that the raid took place on Friday.
Ikenga said the criminals had earlier captured two policemen and a civilian car-tracker, who had joined the police in an operation to recover a stolen vehicle.
The PPRO said the police had to reinforce and dislodge the criminals, leading to the killing of no fewer 10 of the hoodlums, while many others escaped with bullet wounds.
He said, “During the operation, police recovered a human skull, one locally made rocket propelled grenade, RPG launcher, two (RPG) bombs, one single-barrel long gun, empty chain of bullet.
“Other recovered items include; one Toyota Sienna, one Mercedes Benz 4matic jeep, two cylinders, a huge quantity of hard drugs and other items, including a police beret and a police belt.”
He added, “The recovery came following a counter-offensive operation launched against criminal elements who had on 15/7/2022 laid an ambush against a 6- man police team and a civilian car tracker who were on a recovery operation of a Toyota Sienna Space Wagon.
“The vehicle was earlier snatched at gun point on 9/7/2022 in Oye-Agu Abagana. Four of the police operatives escaped the ambush, while two of the police operatives and the car tracker were captured by the criminals.”
Ikenga further said that during the counter-offensive operation, police operatives neutralized no fewer than 10 of the gunmen and destroyed three of their camps.
“Unfortunately, some of the hoodlums escaped with bullet wounds. They (hoodlums) had murdered their captives (two policeman and a civilian) and set their bodies ablaze.
“The remains of the two murdered police officers and the civilian car-tracker have been recovered and deposited in a morgue, while police operation is still ongoing in the area to track the fleeing gang members.”
The police spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Echeng Echeng, had condoled with the families and friends of the murdered civilian and the police operatives, describing the incident as a classic example of the risk and sacrifices the police were exposed to in the onerous task of serving and protecting the people.
Echeng also assured Anambra people that efforts were being intensified towards total reclamaing and domination of the public space occupied by hoodlums in the state by apprehending and bringing them and their accomplices to justice.”