Nigerian soldiers have killed three members of a gang of unknown gunmen who attacked a police checkpoint along Okija-Onitsha expressway in Anambra, leading to the death of a policeman.

 

The Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this on Saturday in a statement titled ‘Troops’ neutralise three unknown gunmen in a shootout’.

 

General Nwachukwu said the gun duel between the troops of Sector 5 of Exercise Golden Dawn and the gunmen took place on the 7th of October, 2021.

 

According to the statement, “The gallant troops engaged and overwhelmed the gunmen with superior firepower, forcing them to flee the scene. Troops however gave them a hot pursuit, and engaged the gunmen in a gun duel.

 

 “The 3 gunmen, who drove in 2 Vehicles (a Hilux and Hummer bus), eventually succumbed to troops’ effective firepower, while others fled with gunshot wounds.

 

“Troops also recovered one vehicle and 2 motorcycles, while conducting further exploitation of the general area for the fleeing terrorists.

 

“Unfortunately, a policeman paid the supreme price, in the line of duty, for his country.

 

 “The Chief of Army Staff commands the troops for the feat and urges them to sustain the momentum against all criminal elements operating in the region. The COAS also sympathises with the family of the fallen hero and prays for the repose of his soul.”

 

Anambra State has become the hotbed of the militancy sweeping through Nigeria’s Southeastern region, where the separatist  group, the Indigenous People of Biafra, is fighting for self-rule.

 

IPOB and its militant arm, the Eastern Security Network, are opposed to a governorship election scheduled in Anambra on November 6, vowing that they would not allow the polls to hold.

 

Armed groups, operating under the tag of Unknown Gunmen, have unleashed terror in the state, killing people they suspect to be connected with the elections. They also kill any person belonging to the security agencies, including the Police, Army, Navy, among others.