By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Two suspected armed criminals have been gunned down, following a prolonged and fierce gun battle between operatives of the Anambra State Police Command and a notorious gang in the state.
The two-hour gun battle, which happened in the early hours of Wednesday, January 14, occurred at the every-busy Enugwu-Agidi Junction axis of the state.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who disclosed the development in a press statement made available to journalists on Thursday, the operation marked yet another major breakthrough in the Command’s sustained efforts to dismantle criminal networks and maintain public safety across Anambra State.
Recounting how it happened, SP Ikenga explained that operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, acting on credible and actionable intelligence, laid a strategic ambush on a five-man gang of armed hoodlums suspected to be involved in armed robbery, cultism and activities linked to a proscribed secessionist group.
According to him, upon sighting the police operatives at the Junction, the gunmen opened fire on them, leading to an intense gun duel that reportedly lasted for about two hours. The exchange, he noted, resulted in f@tal gunshot injuries to two of the suspects, while three others escaped from the scene with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.
The Police Spokesperson further revealed that a cache of dangerous weapons and items was recovered during the operation, including one T.06 rifle, two pump-action guns, twenty-four rounds of T.06 ammunition, fifteen live cartridges, assorted criminal charms, a cult red beret, and a black Toyota Highlander vehicle believed to have been used for criminal operations.
In another shocking revelation, SP Ikenga disclosed that one of the suspects, while in deep agony before dy!ng, confessed that members of the gang were among those who had earlier launched an unsuccessful att@ck on the convoy of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, in November 2025, which was repelled by police operatives and which also resulted in the de@th of a lady who was hit by bullet while video-recording the att@ck.
According to the PPRO, the dy!ng gunman also reportedly admitted that the gang doubled as a striking squad of the Vikings confraternity who were mobilised to carry out a retaliatory attack following the death of one of their members allegedly k!lled by a rival cult group.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu fwc mnips PhD, commended the operatives for their gallantry and professionalism during the operation. He further charged them to intensify efforts to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects, especially those who escaped with gunshot injuries.
The Command also issued a stern advisory to hospitals and medical facilities within and outside the state, urging them to admit persons with gunshot wounds when necessary but to immediately report such cases to the nearest police station, as part of ongoing investigations.
SP Ikenga assured Ndi Anambra that the Police Command remains resolute in its commitment to protecting lives and property, adding that further developments would be communicated as investigations continue.
