A tense shootout erupted in Isuofia, Anambra State, on Thursday, leaving a joint security operative and two of the attacking gunmen dead. The deadly confrontation unfolded at a security checkpoint in the Aguata Local Government Area, sending shockwaves through the community.
According to Anambra State Police Spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, the armed assailants launched a brazen attack on the security team stationed at the checkpoint. However, the security operatives stood their ground, engaging the attackers in a fierce exchange of gunfire.
“During the encounter, our forces successfully neutralized two of the armed hoodlums,” stated Mr. Ikenga. “Regrettably, we also lost one of our dedicated security personnel in this violent confrontation. The criminals also set one of our operational vehicles ablaze.”
While the specific security agencies involved in the joint operation were not disclosed, Mr. Ikenga highlighted the superior firepower of the security team, which ultimately forced the remaining gunmen to abandon their Toyota Sienna vehicle and flee into nearby bushes.
The police have since reinforced security in the area, with armed operatives actively combing the surroundings in a bid to apprehend the fleeing attackers.
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Ikioye Orutugu, vehemently condemned the attack, emphasizing that it serves as “a test of Anambra residents’ collective resolve to work with the security forces to dislodge and eliminate” criminal elements within the state. He assured the public that the police command is committed to tracking down and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
This latest incident underscores the escalating security challenges plaguing Anambra State and the wider South-east region of Nigeria. The area has witnessed a surge in attacks targeting security agencies, government officials, and infrastructure, resulting in numerous fatalities, abductions, and injuries.
Tragically, the same day as this shootout, a lawyer and his client were brutally murdered by gunmen in the Egbebelu village of Nanka, further highlighting the volatile security situation in the state.
The Nigerian government has consistently pointed fingers at the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as the orchestrators of these violent attacks. However, IPOB has repeatedly denied any involvement in the bloodshed, maintaining their stance of non-violence. The group continues to advocate for an independent state of Biafra to be carved out of Nigeria’s South-east and parts of the South-south region.
As investigations into the Isuofia attack continue, the residents of Anambra State remain on edge, grappling with the persistent threat of violence and awaiting decisive action to restore peace and security to their communities.
