UGM Gun Down A Policeman And Burnt Patrol Vans In Nsukka

Unknown Gunmen on Friday in Nsukka, Enugu State, killed a policeman and set ablaze patrol vehicles in two different police check points in the area. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the policeman was killed in Umanu junction in Nsukka while the police patrol vehicle was set ablaze along Ibeagwa-Ani road in the area.

An eyewitness in Umanu junction who pleaded anonymity told News Agency of Nigeria in Nsukka on Friday that around 6.20 am, residents started hearing sporadic gun shots in the area.

“I quickly rushed to my doors to ensure that all of them are well locked. I switched off all electric lights in my house and told my wife and children to keep quiet because I thought it was armed robbers,” he said.

He said after some minutes the gun shots stopped he saw people rushing to the junction and I joined them only to see a lifeless policeman on the ground. They said the policeman was killed during gun duel between police team on check point and the gunmen,” he said.

A trader, who was an eyewitness at the Ibeagwa-Ani Road incident where police van was set ablaze, said that he was in a commercial bus going to Nkwo Ibeagwa-Ani Market when they sighted police van on fire with five armed men who masked their faces watching the vehicle.

“Our driver quickly reversed and drove to a safer distance where we watched until the gunmen zoomed off shooting sporadically. When we reached the scene of the incident the van has already burnt to ashes, we stopped like other road users for some  minutes and continue our journey,” he said.

When contacted, Mr Daniel Ndukwe, the Police Public Relations Officer in Enugu State, confirmed the incident. “Yes, there was an attack on Police Operatives in Nsukka today. But the details are still sketchy. I will communicate to you once I get details,” Police Spokesman Daniel Ndukwe stated.

Also, another policeman has been shot dead, several wounded and patrol vehicles were set ablaze as unknown gunmen attacked a police unit at Umeano junction, Ibagwa Road, Nsukka local government area of Enugu State in the southeastern part of Nigeria. Residents were panicking as the heavily armed gunmen exchange fire with policemen who were on regular patrol on the main road of Ibagwa in Nsukka.

Pandemonium has broken when the unknown gunmen came wielding guns and started attacking security agents in the region. This prompted residents to scamper for safety as the shootings intensified. The heavily armed gunmen fled the scene before the arrival of reinforcement from the Enugu State Police Command.

This latest onslaught by the criminals has further created tension and anxiety among the people. Wanton attacks by unknown gunmen in the southern part of Nigeria have become a major security threat in the region. This prompted the redeployment of additional security forces.