Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has issued a 48-hour directive to all police formations within the command to fish out the killers of two security operatives attached to Chief Ben Nwankwo, the Chief of Staff to Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
The Chief of Staff had attended a function where he represented the governor at Awa-Ndiukwuenu-Ufuma in Orumba North Local Government Area and was on his way back to Awka when his convoy was attacked.
The gunmen were said to have laid an ambush along the road at about 8:30pm on Sunday and attacked the operatives and other civilians, leading to the death of two policemen and some civilians.
Chief Nwankwo escaped unhurt with the assistance of his official driver.
Speaking shortly after an in-house meeting with officers in charge of the various formations within the command, Orutugu ordered all formations of the State police command to apprehend the perpetrators of the crime within 48 hours.
He said: “Following this unfortunate incident, the Anambra State Police Command has issued a 48-hour order to officers and men of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), the Anti-Robbery Squad, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), and the Anti-Violent Crime Department to fish out the perpetrators of this dastardly act.”
Orutugu urged members of the public to be mindful of individuals claiming to be policemen at checkpoints by identifying properly branded police vehicles, noting that it had been discovered that criminals now wear police and military uniforms while carrying out operations.
“The general public is hereby advised to remain vigilant regarding the presence of persons at various checkpoints because the miscreants now wear security uniforms to operate,” he said.
“Also, the Amansea–Ufuma Road is a long and isolated stretch of road; hence, commuters and members of the public should exercise caution while using it, as it has, in recent times, become a haven for criminals.”
Orutugu reassured members of the public that the command remains committed and battle-ready to guarantee the safety of lives and property across Anambra State.
He assured residents that results would be achieved within the next 48 hours.