Gunmen targeted a convoy suspected to belong to the self-styled godfather of Anambra politics, Chief Chris Uba, in a recent attack. Vehicles in the convoy were reportedly riddled with bullets, resulting in the tragic death of two police operatives attached to the politician. Another politician, Mr Val Ozigbo, a chieftain of the Labour Party, narrowly escaped the attack.
The incident unfolded at UGA junction, where Uba’s convoy encountered armed assailants, leading to a shootout. Chris Uba managed to escape unharmed as he was riding in a bulletproof vehicle, while the police officers were fatally shot. Val Ozigbo, who was part of the targeted convoy, skillfully avoided the attackers by instructing his driver to clear the road.
Witnesses reported that the gunmen’s intention was to kidnap the politician, and although many people were injured during the attack, it remains unclear if any kidnappings occurred.
In response to the incident, the Anambra State Police Command has launched an intensive manhunt for the attackers. The police-led mobile Forward Operating Base promptly responded to the scene, recovering a Lexus SUV used by the gang and defusing an improvised explosive device found in the vehicle. An AK-47 rifle belonging to one of the slain personnel was also recovered.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased officers and the Enugu State Police Command. He commended the tireless and courageous efforts of the police personnel in securing Anambra State, urging them not to be demoralized by the supreme sacrifice made by their colleagues. CP Adeoye vowed that the personnel’s sacrifice would not be in vain and called on all officers and men to redouble their efforts, assuring the use of technology to track down the criminals responsible for the attack.
