Anambra State Commissioner of Police (CP), Nnaghe Itam, has labeled the gunmen who killed a vigilante leader in Nnewi on Monday as cowards. He has ordered an immediate manhunt for the armed men, who were operating in a red Highlander jeep.
The attack resulted in one abduction and three fatalities, with the victims succumbing to their injuries at a hospital in Nnewi.
Police spokesman, Ikenga Tochukwu, detailed the events in a statement on Tuesday, revealing that security operatives had pursued the assailants to Nnobi, Idemili North local government area, where a gunfight ensued.
“During the gun duel, one security operative was fatally hit, and the indiscriminate shooting by the hoodlums trying to escape also struck two innocent passersby,” Ikenga reported.
The police responding team recovered the bodies and transported them to the hospital, where three victims, including a 22-year-old woman, were pronounced dead by doctors. Two other victims are currently receiving treatment.
Commissioner Itam strongly condemned the killings, expressing his condolences to the families of the deceased. “These killers are cowards who have murdered sleep,” he stated. He also vowed to seek justice for the vigilante operative and the unsuspecting members of the public who were caught in the crossfire.
The Commissioner urged the public, particularly eyewitnesses, to assist with information to aid the ongoing operation against the perpetrators.