Four policemen and three gunmen were on Monday killed while one police patrol and three exhibit vehicles were set ablaze in exchanges of fire in Awada Police Station, Anambra State.
The hoodlums were said to have killed the cops during the attempt to set the station ablaze but were repealed by the police after an exchange of fire.
A resident of the area, who preferred anonymity, said: “It was terrible last night for people living close to Awada police station, it’s as if war has come close to us.
“This morning, unknown gunmen invaded the station, set some part of the station on fire and killed three policemen which included DPO Isiowulu police station, newly recruited constable and one inspector.
“With the help of the military men that surfaced, Police were able to kill three of the gunmen and caught two red-handed.”
Police spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident, saying two suspects were arrested while three rifles, one Automatic Pump Action gun, Lexus 330, charms and other incriminating items were recovered from them.
He said: “Today 20/02/2023 at about 02:20 am, gunmen suspected to be IPOB/ESN attacked Awada Police Station in Idemilli North LGA of Anambra State using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and automatic firearms.
“In response to the attack, police operatives attached to Anambra State Command engaged the assailants jointly with troops from 302 Artillery Regiment of the Nigeria Army, in a gun duel and three members of the outlawed IPOB/ESN were fatally wounded while three Kalashnikov rifles and one Automatic Pump Action gun were recovered from them.
