Some unknown gunmen have attacked the office of vigilante operatives in the Umunze community, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The assailants reportedly set about five operational vehicles and some parts of the building housing the security operatives ablaze during the attack that was carried out in the early hours of Thursday.
According to Punch, an eyewitness around the scene said, “The hoodlums invaded the premises in the early hours of Thursday and started shooting indiscriminately. The matter escalated when the security operatives, in an attempt to resist the gunmen during the gun duel, recorded a fatal injury to one of the security operatives.
“About five operational vehicles were set ablaze, and some parts of the security office also got burnt by the hoodlums, who later fled the scene before the arrival of the police-led joint security force.”
The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, when contacted confirmed the incident, stressing that the Police-led Joint Security Force had taken over the scene.
Ikenga added that the police seek the collaborative efforts of the local communities to ensure that those responsible for the attack are held accountable.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has condemned the attack on vigilante operatives in Umunze Community, Orumba South Local Government Area, emphasising the need for community support to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“The unfortunate incident happened in the early hours of Thursday, when the suspected armed men attacked the vigilante’s office at Umunze and set five of their operational vehicles ablaze.
“The security operatives, in an attempt to resist the gunmen during the gun duel, recorded a fatal injury on one of the security operatives. Some parts of the security office were also burned by the hoodlums.
“Given the above, the police-led Joint Security Force has taken over the scene and seeks the collaborative efforts of the local communities on the ongoing onslaught operations in the area to ensure that those responsible for the attack are held accountable.
“Further developments shall be communicated, please,” the spokesman said.
