Gunmen, on Wednesday, killed no fewer than five policemen and some unidentified persons at a checkpoint in Obeagu-Amechi Community in Enugu South Local Government Area.
Apart from the security operatives, many residents and passersby, who ran into the attack, were either killed or wounded by stray bullets in the ensuing gun duel.
The policemen were said to have repelled the attack but there were casualties from both sides.
According to eyewitnesses, the attack, which started about 5:30pm on Wednesday at a busy spot at Mmiri Ocha Amodu, lasted till 7pm.
A source said he identified four policemen, one pastor and a neighborhood watch officer among the dead who were taken to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku – Ozalla mortuary.
“The gun battle between the policemen and the unknown gunmen was too heavy. The entire area was thrown into confusion as everybody within the scene scampered for safety. We have not experienced this type of incident in this area. It happened along Obeagu – Amechi Road to Agbani Nkanu a few kilometers from Enugu State capital” he said
The source said that operatives of Amagunze police division, who were promptly alerted, laid an ambush for the fleeing gunmen, killing some of them.
A police patrol van was set ablaze by the gunmen during the attack.
Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu Police Command, Daniel Ndukwe, said “Information surrounding the shooting incidents in the evening hours of today, 21/07/2021, where Police Operatives were allegedly attacked by yet-to-be identified gunmen at checkpoints in Obeagu-Amechi in Enugu South LGA and Amagunze in Nkanu East LGA are still sketchy.”
He added that preliminary investigations have commenced, assuring that further development will be communicated.
