Fides Media Living the Faith
By Ikeugonna Eleke
The Anambra State Police Command has called on proprietors of private hospitals and managers of public health facilities in Anambra State to help them to arrest fleeing gunmen who escaped with bullet injuries after an encounter with security operatives in the early hours of last Monday.
Fides learnt that on Monday morning, around 3am, some heavily armed gunmen ambushed operatives of the Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG) in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, but were repelled.
Two of the gunmen were killed and two AK-47 rifles recovered from them, while their gang members escaped with bullet injuries.
The Anambra State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident, said their men had inspected the scene of the event and had gone into partnership with the AVG to ensure that the fleeing suspects were apprehended.
Ikenga said: ‘From what our men were able to find out, the fleeing suspects sustained bullet injuries and we are working with AVG operatives to ensure we track them down.
‘We are only calling on operators of private hospitals and managers of public hospitals in the area to be at alert and report people with bullet injuries when they come for treatment.
‘You may not entirely reject them, but upon admission, make sure you alert the police so we can pick such a person and investigate the source of such bullet injuries.’
It was gathered that on Monday morning in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area of the state, around 3.30am, gunmen numbering about 15, stormed the camp of the vigilante members, thinking they were sleeping.
An AVG members said, ‘The gunmen came with AK-47 rifles and different charms. When they came, they opened fire on us without knowing they stepped into the lion’s den. Let them continue coming; we are ready for them.’